Nigeria, mosque explosion: the toll is five dead and 35 injured
The attack took place in the city of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, the scene of a years-long uprising by the jihadist groups Boko Haram
Five people were killed when a bomb exploded in a mosque in Maiduguri, north-east Nigeria, during prayer on Wednesday evening. This was reported by the police, adding that 35 people were injured. "Preliminary investigations suggest it may have been a suicide bombing, based on the recovery of fragments of an alleged explosive vest and witness statements," said Nahum Daso, spokesman for the Borno state police command.
No armed group has claimed responsibility for what even militia leader Babakura Kolo called an alleged attack. Maiduguri is the capital of Borno state, the scene of a years-long uprising by the jihadist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State's West African Province.
Witnesses heard by Afp say that the explosion in the mosque in Maiduguri occurred 'as worshippers were gathering for evening prayer around 6pm' and that the mosque was therefore 'crowded'. A leader of an 'anti-jihadist militia' told Afp that a bomb was suspected to have been planted inside the mosque and exploded in the middle of the prayers, while some witnesses speak of a possible suicide bombing.
