The Borno State Police Command has deployed more than 1,000 officers across Maiduguri and other strategic locations following Wednesday evening’s bomb attack on a mosque that claimed five lives and left 35 others injured.
The explosion occurred at the Al-Adum Mosque in the Gamboru Market area of Maiduguri while worshippers were observing the Maghrib prayer.
Speaking on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Nahum Daso, said security arrangements had been significantly strengthened in response to the incident, despite existing measures already in place.
“Though there were earlier security arrangements, however, with what happened yesterday, we are making it more intense,” Daso said.
He explained that the police, in collaboration with other security and emergency response agencies, would maintain heightened surveillance at worship centres, major roads, flashpoints and recreational areas throughout the festive period.
“There will be full domination of security personnel at churches, recreational centres, and strategic locations where people are massively going to. We are on standby,” he said.
According to Daso, the operation is a joint effort involving multiple agencies, with more than 1,000 personnel deployed within Maiduguri alone.
“It is a joint operation between the police and all emergency and security response teams. The command has deployed over 1,000 personnel within Maiduguri,” he added.
The police spokesperson urged residents to continue their lawful activities but advised them to remain vigilant and security-conscious, calling on the public to promptly report suspicious movements or individuals to security agencies through designated emergency channels.
“We call on members of the public to go about their lawful business. But they should be very mindful and careful of their surroundings. Any suspicious person they see around them should be immediately reported,” he said.
Daso also disclosed that security screening would be enforced at places of worship.
“In terms of clearance, any individual going to churches must be properly scanned. And the same thing too for the mosque,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has condemned the attack, describing it as “utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane.”
He said the bombing of a place of worship amounted to a desecration of its sanctity, particularly during prayers.
“I wish to express my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the attack and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the governor said.
Zulum assured residents that adequate security measures had been put in place to prevent further security breaches during the festive season and beyond.
