26 dead, 28 injured in mosque blast

At least 26 people have been confirmed dead in a bomb blast which hit a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, the police have said.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Opadokun, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

“A suicide bomber strapped with IED exploded himself in Alhaji Haruna Mosque at Galadima Kyari drive Ali Kotoko Road near the Monday Market,” Opadokun said.

“The incident happened around 3.30 p.m., while Asar prayer was being offered at the mosque. Twenty six people were confirmed dead while 28 were injured,” he added.

The bomber was said to have succeeded in the operation by disguising himself as a hawker pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with fruit.