Explosion rocks crowded mosque in Nigeria, killing several people: Reports

According to media reports, a mosque in northeastern Nigeria was destroyed by an explosion that injured several people as they prayed their evening prayers.

According to Reuters and AFP news agencies, the explosion occurred in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday at around 6 p.m., according to witnesses.

An explosive ordnance team was already present at the mosque in Maiduguri’s Gamboru market, according to police spokesman Nahum Daso, who confirmed the explosion.

No official announcement about the casualties.

However, Babakura Kolo, a militia leader, claimed at least eight people had died while mosque leader Malam Abuna Yusuf told the AFP that Babakura Kolo, a leader of the militia, said eight.

Musa Yusha’u, a different witness, claimed he witnessed “many victims being taken away for medical treatment.”

Although it was unknown as to what caused the explosion, it occurred in a city that has been the epicenter of an almost two-decade-old armed uprising waged by Boko Haram and ISIL’s (ISIL) affiliate in the area, known as the Islamic State West Africa Province.

According to the United Nations, the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 40, 000 people and displaced about 2 million of them from their homes since 2009.

Although the violence has decreased since its peak ten years ago, it has continued to spread to the neighboring countries of Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

In some areas of the northeast, where armed groups continue to launch deadly attacks despite years of sustained military operations, are growing concerns about a resurgence of violence.