Borno (Nigeria), Dec 25 (NationPress) A devastating explosion struck a mosque in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, during evening prayers, resulting in the tragic death of at least ten worshippers, as reported by local media outlets.

This incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, has reignited concerns about the resurgence of militant violence in a region plagued by years of insurgency.

As of now, no armed group has claimed responsibility for the explosion.

Militia leader Babakura Kolo referred to the incident as a suspected bombing, noting that officials have indicated that militants have previously targeted mosques and crowded areas in Maiduguri using suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices.

Witnesses reported that the explosion occurred within a packed mosque located in the Gamboru Market area, where Muslims had gathered for evening prayers.

The sudden blast created a scene of panic and confusion, with worshippers desperately seeking safety amid smoke and debris.

Kolo mentioned that initial assessments suggest the explosive device was likely planted inside the mosque and detonated during the prayer service.

However, some witnesses speculated that the blast might have been caused by a suicide bomber, although this has not been confirmed by authorities, according to local media reports.

Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, has been at the heart of a prolonged insurgency led by jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province.

While the broader region has often witnessed violence, the city itself has not faced a significant attack in recent years, making this incident particularly alarming for residents and security forces.

Boko Haram began its insurgency in Borno state in 2009 with the aim of establishing an Islamic caliphate.

Despite ongoing military operations by Nigerian forces and regional cooperation with neighboring nations, sporadic attacks continue to threaten civilians across northeastern Nigeria.

Nigeria has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2009, a conflict that has reportedly claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced approximately two million people in the northeast, based on United Nations estimates.

The humanitarian impact has been severe, with communities repeatedly uprooted by violence.

Although the frequency of attacks has decreased compared to the peak of the conflict a decade ago, violence has spilled over into neighboring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, complicating regional security efforts.

Growing concerns now surround a potential resurgence of violence in parts of northeastern Nigeria, as insurgent groups remain capable of executing deadly attacks despite years of military pressure and counterinsurgency operations.