An explosion struck a mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno State, during evening prayers on Wednesday, killing at least seven people, according to local security sources.
A leader of a civilian militia group in the area, Babakura Kolo, said the blast was suspected to have been caused by an explosive device. As of the time of reporting, no armed group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
Maiduguri has been at the centre of Nigeria’s long-running insurgency led by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, ISWAP. While the city has experienced relative calm in recent years, militant groups have previously carried out attacks on mosques and other crowded locations using suicide bombers and improvised explosives.
Boko Haram began its armed campaign in Borno State in 2009 with the aim of imposing an extremist ideology, triggering years of violence across northeastern Nigeria. Although sustained military operations and regional cooperation have weakened the group, sporadic attacks on civilians and security forces continue.
Security analysts say 2025 has seen a renewed wave of militant activity in parts of the northeast. In July, an attack on the Malam Fatori community reportedly claimed at least nine lives and left several others injured, prompting renewed assurances from government officials on tightening security.
Other areas, including the Gwoza axis and communities near Pulka, have also recorded deadly raids targeting farmers and local residents, with multiple casualties reported.
Despite ongoing counterinsurgency efforts, the insurgency remains a significant threat, contributing to continued displacement, civilian deaths, and instability across the region.
PSJ UK Commentary: Faith Under Fire and the Urgency of Justice
The deadly explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri is a painful reminder that, despite years of counterinsurgency efforts, civilians remain exposed to violence in places meant for worship, safety, and community. The loss of innocent lives during evening prayers underscores the human cost of Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity.
Nigeria now ranks 6th on the Global Terrorism Index, a rise from its 8th position in 2024, reflecting the persistence of violent extremism across the country. While Borno State—long considered the epicenter of insurgency linked to ISWAP—recorded a notable decline in terrorism-related deaths in 2025, this progress remains fragile. The recent mosque bombing and the deadly attacks in Marte Local Government Area, which claimed both civilian and military lives, show that violence has not been eradicated, only reshaped.
Even more concerning is the spillover effect. Neighboring Yobe State experienced a sharp escalation in violence, with deaths reportedly tripling compared to 2023. This shift suggests that armed groups are dispersing and entrenching themselves in areas that were previously less affected, exposing gaps in coordination and regional security planning.
For PSJ UK, these developments highlight the urgent need for structural reforms that prioritize human security and justice. Calls by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for a decentralized or state policing system point to a practical pathway for faster, locally informed responses to emergencies. While the federal government has expressed support for this idea, delayed implementation continues to cost lives.
Beyond policing reforms, proactive intelligence gathering and early-warning systems—supported through advanced data analysis and international cooperation—can help prevent attacks rather than merely respond to them. Tools that analyze movement patterns, communication trends, and historical conflict data can empower authorities and communities to act before violence strikes.
Peace cannot thrive where fear dominates, and justice cannot exist where lives are treated as collateral damage. PSJ UK calls on Nigerian leaders to move from promises to purposeful action, ensuring that security strategies are people-centered, timely, and accountable. Nigeria must not only improve its global rankings but, more importantly, restore the right of every citizen to live, worship, and work without fear.
