At least four persons have been confirmed dead, while 14 others sustained injuries following a bomb explosion at Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque around the Gamboru Market area of Maiduguri, Borno State.

The explosion occurred on Wednesday evening during the Maghrib prayer session.

PUNCH Online gathered that the victims were rushed to different hospitals across the state for treatment.

Confirming the development, the Borno State Police Command said four of the victims were pronounced dead at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

The spokesperson for the command, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a telephone conversation with PUNCH Online on Wednesday night

He said, “Am currently driving and moving to all the scenes involve in the incident. I will provide the complete number of casualties later. But for now, we have confirmed four death, and about 14 injured.

“I confirmed this from University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Am currently moving to specialist hospital to ascertain other cases there.”

Earlier, the police had confirmed the explosion in a brief statement issued on Wednesday evening, calling for calm and assuring residents that security operatives had taken control of the area.

The statement read, “Ongoing sweeping operations by police EOD as suspected explosion incident was recorded at Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque in Gamboru Market today at about 1800HRS during prayers.

“Police EOD personnel have cordoned off the area to ensure public safety, while investigations are ongoing.”

Daso added that further updates would be communicated to the public.

“Members of the public are advised to remain calm and vigilant as security operations are ongoing,” the statement added.

Details later…