Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has issued a forceful condemnation of a suicide bombing at a mosque in the Gomboru Market area of Maiduguri, which resulted in the tragic loss of five lives and left 35 others injured. The attack, which targeted worshippers during the Maghrib (sunset) prayer on Wednesday evening, has been described as a profound violation of a sacred space and community.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Dauda Iliya, Governor Zulum, who was on the frontlines in northern Borno at the time, expressed deep sorrow and outrage. “I am deeply saddened by the Gomboru mosque suicide attack… The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane,” the Governor stated. He emphasized the particular cruelty of striking a place of worship, calling it “a desecration of the sanctity of the mosque at a time when Muslim faithful are performing acts of worship.”
This incident underscores a persistent and grim reality for communities in Nigeria’s northeast, where public gatherings, especially in places of worship and markets, remain vulnerable. Attacks on mosques carry a dual impact: they cause immediate physical casualties and inflict deep psychological wounds by violating spaces perceived as communal sanctuaries. The timing—during congregational prayers—is a tactical choice by insurgents designed to maximize casualties and amplify fear.
Beyond his condemnation, Governor Zulum’s message carried two critical directives. First, he extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and offered prayers for the souls of the deceased and the swift recovery of the injured. This public gesture of solidarity is a vital component of leadership in crisis, helping to bind community resilience.
Second, and crucially, he issued a call for “increased vigilance and heightened security measures.” This is not a generic advisory. In the context of Borno State, it translates to practical community-led actions: the formalization of local vigilante groups (like the Civilian Joint Task Force), stricter access control at worship centers, and public awareness campaigns encouraging citizens to report suspicious activities or unattended items immediately. The Governor specifically highlighted the need for enhanced security in public spaces during the ongoing festive period, when larger gatherings are common.
However, Zulum also sought to balance this alert with reassurance. He announced that the state government, in collaboration with federal security agencies, has “put in place adequate measures to forestall any security breach during the festive season and beyond.” This likely refers to increased patrols, intelligence-driven operations, and the fortification of potential targets. The challenge lies in the dynamic and asymmetric nature of the threat, where a single determined attacker can circumvent traditional security perimeters.
The Gomboru Market attack is a stark reminder that the path to lasting peace in the region is complex. While significant territories have been recovered from insurgent control, the threat of isolated, high-impact attacks persists. Governor Zulum’s response—combining unequivocal condemnation, public empathy, a call for communal vigilance, and an assertion of government action—frames the necessary multi-layered approach: robust state security must be underpinned by an alert and engaged citizenry to protect the fragile peace being rebuilt in Borno State.
