Tinubu orders security surge in Borno after suicide bombing kills five in Maiduguri mosque

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an immediate and intensified security clampdown across Borno State following a deadly suicide bombing at a mosque in Maiduguri that left at least five people dead.

The directive was announced on Thursday by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who condemned the attack as a brutal assault on innocent civilians and a direct challenge to national security.

The explosion occurred on Wednesday evening at the Al-Adum Jumu’at Mosque in the crowded Gamboru Market area of Maiduguri, triggering panic and leaving several worshippers injured.

In a statement released via his X handle, Shettima said President Tinubu had instructed security agencies to scale up operations across Borno and other vulnerable parts of the North East.

“President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate intensification of security operations in Borno State following the incident,” the Vice President said.

He added that the Federal Government was working closely with the Borno State Government and local security formations to secure vulnerable communities and protect critical infrastructure across the region.

Shettima warned that the administration would not tolerate any attempt to destabilise the country, stressing that security agencies had been placed on high alert to track down and prosecute those responsible for the attack.

“The Federal Government will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the peace and security of our nation. Our security agencies are working around the clock to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice,” he said.

The Vice President expressed condolences to the Borno State Government, residents of Maiduguri and families of those killed in the blast, assuring them that the Federal Government remained committed to restoring peace and security.

“We sympathise with the Government and people of Borno State and the families who lost their loved ones in this attack. Those responsible for this despicable act of terrorism will face the full weight of the law,” he said.

Shettima reiterated that since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu’s administration had consistently prioritised national security and would continue to provide security agencies with the resources needed to combat terrorism.

“This commitment remains steadfast under God and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We will continue to support our security agencies to decisively defeat terrorism in all its forms,” he added.