Police To Screen Church, Mosque Goers In Borno After Maiduguri Su!cide B0mbing K!lls Five

Police To Screen Church, Mosque Goers In Borno After Maiduguri Suicide Bombing Kills Five

The blast occurred at about 6pm on Wednesday at the Al-Adum Mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, when worshippers had gathered for prayers.

Security operatives in Borno State have begun the screening of worshippers before they are allowed into churches and mosques, following a deadly bomb blast at a mosque in Maiduguri that left at least five people dead and dozens injured.

According to The PUNCH, the Borno State Police Command has deployed more than 1,000 officers across Maiduguri and other strategic locations to tighten security as Christians celebrate Christmas and Muslims continue their daily prayers.

The blast occurred at about 6pm on Wednesday at the Al-Adum Mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, when worshippers had gathered for prayers.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Nahum Daso, said the latest attack forced the police and other security agencies to intensify existing security arrangements, particularly around places of worship.

He explained that security personnel would be stationed at churches, mosques, recreational centres and other locations expected to attract large crowds, adding that worshippers would now be subjected to security checks before entry.

According to the statement, the police said “the affected area has been cordoned off to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency operations” shortly after the explosion.
“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,” Daso said.

“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.”

Daso stressed that although security measures were already in place before the attack, the police had decided to make them more intense in response to Wednesday’s incident.

“Though there were earlier security arrangements, however, with what happened yesterday, we are making it more intense,” he said.

The police spokesperson also confirmed that screening would be mandatory for all worshippers.

“In terms of clearance, any individual going to churches must be properly scanned. And the same thing too for the mosque,” Daso added.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or persons to security agencies.

“We call on members of the public to go about their lawful business. But they should be very mindful and careful of their surroundings and use the designated emergency response number,” he said.

PUNCH had earlier reported that Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, condemned the mosque attack, describing it as “utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane.”

In a statement issued Wednesday night by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor said the attack occurred while worshippers were observing Maghrib prayers, killing five people and injuring 35 others.

“I am deeply saddened by the Gamboru mosque suicide attack which occurred on Wednesday evening when worshippers were performing Maghrib prayer,” Zulum said.

He added that attacking a place of worship amounted to a desecration of its sanctity, while assuring residents that adequate security measures had been put in place to prevent further attacks during the festive period and beyond.