The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the bomb explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, describing the attack as unacceptable and a damning indictment of the Federal Government’s failure to guarantee the safety of Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the opposition party said the incident underscored what it described as the worsening state of insecurity under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The news of an explosion at a mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, is another sad reminder of the rising insecurity that has become the unfortunate reality Nigerians now face,” the PDP said. “This is totally unacceptable. The irreducible minimum any government owes its citizens is the protection of lives and property. This administration has failed woefully in this regard and must rise to the occasion instead of resorting to rhetoric and politicising security.”
The party commiserated with the families of victims who lost their loved ones in the attack, stressing that no Nigerian should lose their life while worshipping God.
The PDP warned that persistent attacks on places of worship, if left unchecked, threaten not only Nigeria’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion but also the delicate fabric of peaceful coexistence in the country’s multi-faith society.
“If these attacks continue, they will create an atmosphere of fear that undermines our collective right to practise our faith freely,” the statement noted.
Calling for urgent action, the party urged both the Federal and Borno State governments to move beyond promises and deploy effective security measures, especially during the festive season.
“Nigerians deserve more than empty assurances and political rhetoric. What is required are concrete, actionable security strategies implemented on the ground. The escalating insecurity has become unbearable and must be confronted with the urgency and seriousness it demands,” the PDP said.
The attack occurred at about 6:10 p.m. on Wednesday, less than 12 hours before Christmas, as Muslim worshippers were observing the Maghrib prayer at a Juma’at Mosque in Gamboru Ward, near the Customs area in the heart of Maiduguri.
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents reportedly detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) at the mosque. While details surrounding the incident remain unclear, residents told Channels Television that several worshippers were either killed or injured in the explosion.
Confirming the incident, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, said preliminary investigations showed that at least five people were killed, while about 35 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
About the Author
