A suicide attack carried out by a small boy has killed six people during evening prayers at Al-Alim Mosque in Gomboru Market, Maiduguri.
The explosion occurred on Wednesday evening while worshippers were observing Maghrib prayer inside the mosque.
According to ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, spokesman of the Borno State Police Command, the boy disguised himself as a worshipper and quietly entered the mosque without raising suspicion.
He detonated an explosive device while worshippers were in prostration, killing himself instantly along with one worshipper at the scene.
Medical sources confirmed to our reporter that four additional victims later died at the Borno State Specialist Hospital, and another body was confirmed at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Community members expressed shock over the attack and questioned how the child gained access to the mosque unnoticed.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said 22 injured persons are currently receiving treatment at the State Specialist Hospital.
Several other victims with varying degrees of injuries are being treated at General Mohammed Shuwa Hospital, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and other medical facilities.
Families of victims were seen moving between hospitals in search of information about their loved ones.
And investigations are ongoing to determine how the child was recruited and how the attack was carried out.
