Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security agencies across Nigeria to intensify surveillance and operational activities, particularly in Borno State and other vulnerable regions, in response to the Christmas Eve bombing of a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, authorities confirmed on 26 December 2025. The move follows a suspected suicide attack on the Al‑Adum Mosque at Gamboru Market that killed at least five worshippers and injured dozens more during evening prayers.
In a statement issued through the office of the Vice‑President, Kashim Shettima, the Federal Government said the president had ordered an immediate intensification of security operations and enhanced surveillance in Borno and neighbouring states to prevent further attacks and apprehend those responsible. The directive comes amid heightened concerns about the risk of retaliatory or follow‑up violence during the busy festive period.
“The Federal Government will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the peace and security of our nation,” the statement quoted Shettima as saying. “Our security agencies are working round the clock to ensure that perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice immediately.” He added that Nigeria’s security architecture would be fully mobilised to unravel the circumstances surrounding the bombing and to protect vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure.
The deployment of additional tactical teams and intensified operations reflects immediate government efforts to reassure the public and deter further violence. According to security sources, a surge in patrols, checkpoint enforcement and intelligence‑led interventions is already underway in Maiduguri and parts of the North East. These actions are intended to supplement existing counter‑terrorism operations by the Nigerian Army, Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other allied agencies.
The bombing at the mosque during the Maghrib prayer on 24 December has drawn national and international condemnation. Witnesses and officials reported that a suspected suicide bomber detonated an explosive device within the crowded mosque, causing chaos and mass casualties just hours before Christmas. The attack marked a grim reminder of the persistent threat posed by extremist groups in northern Nigeria, including Boko Haram and its splinter factions, despite years of sustained military campaigns against them.
Local and federal security sources say that the intensification directive includes expanded surveillance around places of worship, markets and other high‑density civilian areas, particularly in conflict‑affected states. In Maiduguri, the Borno State Police Command has deployed more than 1,000 officers to secure key public spaces, worship centres and strategic locations, in collaboration with national security response teams.
The intensified effort also emphasises community cooperation and vigilance, with authorities urging residents to report suspicious movements and unusual activities to security posts. The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to maintaining high levels of readiness and ensuring public safety, especially as religious gatherings and holiday activities continue.
President Tinubu’s order has drawn mixed reactions from political leaders and civil society figures. While many commended the government’s swift response to the bombing and its commitment to protecting citizens, some opposition voices have reiterated concerns over the broader security strategy and the need for more sustainable long‑term solutions to Nigeria’s chronic insecurity.
The Federal Government’s intensified surveillance directive seeks to strike a balance between immediate public safety and ongoing counter‑terrorism objectives, while also reinforcing confidence in state capacity to protect lives and property across regions confronting persistent security threats.
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