01/11/2025
Terror Attacks Targeting Muslims in Nigeria (2009–2025)
Researched and compiled by Abba Hikima
1. August 11, 2013 – Konduga, Borno State: Boko Haram gunmen opened fire on worshippers during dawn (Fajr) prayers at the Konduga Central Mosque, killing approximately 44–46 people and injuring about 22–30 more . This mass shooting was Boko Haram’s first large-scale attack inside a mosque, reportedly carried out in retaliation against villagers who had organized vigilantes against the insurgents  .
2. November 3–4, 2014 – Potiskum, Yobe State: A su***de bomber (suspected Boko Haram) targeted a Shia Muslim Ashura procession in Potiskum. The attacker, disguised as a worshipper, detonated explosives among the crowd, killing at least 15 people and injuring about 50 others .
3. November 28, 2014 – Kano City, Kano State: Boko Haram militants attacked the Central Mosque in Kano during packed Friday prayers and set off three huge bombs inside the courtyard and then opened fire on fleeing worshippers. At least 81 people were killed (witnesses counted more than 200) and over 100 injured .
4. July 17, 2015 – Damaturu, Yobe State: On the morning of Eid al-Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan), two Boko Haram-linked su***de bombers – an elderly woman and a 10-year-old girl – detonated explosives among crowds gathered for Eid prayers in an open-air prayer ground in Damaturu . Initial local reports indicated a toll of up to 50.
5. October 15, 2015 – Maiduguri, Borno State: Two su***de bombers attacked a mosque in the western suburbs of Maiduguri during evening prayers. One bomber blew himself up inside the mosque and, as rescuers gathered, the second detonated outside, causing additional casualties . Witnesses counted 42 dead bodies at the scene.
6. November 27, 2015 – Dakasoye, Kano State: A su***de bomber infiltrated a Shia Muslim Arba’een procession en route from Kano to Zaria. The bomber, a young man, detonated amidst the marchers, killing at least 21 people and injuring many more  . An accomplice was caught and confessed they were sent by Boko Haram.
7. March 16, 2016 – Molai-Umarari, near Maiduguri, Borno State: Two female su***de bombers struck the Molai-Umarari village mosque during dawn prayers. One woman blew herself up inside the mosque, and the second waited outside and detonated as survivors fled. The attack killed at least 24 worshippers (only the imam reportedly survived inside) and wounded 18 others .
8. January 16, 2017 – Maiduguri, Borno State: An attack hit the University of Maiduguri’s mosque (in the staff residential quarters) during morning prayers. A 12-year-old girl su***de bomber slipped into the small mosque and detonatedan IED, killing four people (including a university professor) and injuring 15 others.
9. November 21, 2017 – Mubi, Adamawa State: A teenage male su***de bomber (suspected Boko Haram) detonated explosives inside the Madina Mosque in Mubi during morning prayer (Fajr). The blast collapsed the building’s roof and killed at least 50 people (police official count) on site  , with others succumbing to injuries later. This was one of the deadliest Boko Haram attacks on a mosque, and came after a period of relative calm in Adamawa.
9. May 1, 2018 – Mubi, Adamawa State: Twin su***de bombings struck the town of Mubi in the early afternoon. The first bomber blew himself up inside a mosque around 1:00pm as worshippers gathered for Zuhr (mid-day prayer), and a second bomber detonated about 200 meters away, targeting people fleeing the first blast  . At least 27 people were killed and 56 injured  .
10. July 23, 2018 – Konduga, Borno State: A male su***de bomber entered a community mosque in Konduga during early morning prayers (around 5:15am) and detonated his device among the worshippers. The blast killed 11 people on the spot (7 inside the mosque, 2 at the doorway, and 2 who died of wounds en route to hospital) and injured at least 8 others  . All the victims were Muslim worshippers.
11. July 27, 2019 – Nganzai LGA, Borno State: In one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in recent years, Boko Haram fighters on motorcycles ambushed a group of villagers returning from a funeral near Gajiram in Nganzai. The attackers opened fire on the mourners, killing 65 people on the spot (21 in the initial ambush, and 44 more when the villagers regrouped to defend themselves) .
12. October 25, 2021 – Mazakuka, Niger State: A group of armed bandits stormed a village mosque in Mazakuka (Mashegu LGA) during dawn (Fajr) prayers . The gunmen opened fire on the congregation, killing 18 people on the spot – 17 worshippers and the chief imam – and injuring at least 4 others .
13. October 5, 2021 – Yasore, Katsina State: (Another incident earlier that month) Bandits attacked a mosque in Yasore village (Kankara LGA) during evening prayers, shooting dead 10 worshippers and wounding others . The attack occurred as villagers were observing Maghrib prayer. (Media and the U.S. State Department reported this attack, noting the increasing trend of bandits targeting mosques .)
14. November 5, 2023 – Funtua area, Katsina State: Armed bandits attacked a Maulud celebration (birthday of Prophet Muhammad PBUH) in a village in Katsina. They opened fire on the crowd of celebrants, killing at least 20 people and kidnapping several others .
15. August 19, 2025 – Unguwan Mantau, Katsina State: In the early hours of a Tuesday, a large group of armed bandits invaded a remote village mosque in Unguwan Mantau (Malumfashi LGA) during Subh (dawn) prayers, opening fire on the worshippers. The surprise attack left at least 27 people dead on the mosque floor and dozens injured .
16. In February 2025 in Zamfara, bandits kidnapped an imam and 30 others from a village, and in June 2025 Boko Haram (ISWAP faction) launched attacks in Borno.
Note: The above list is not exhaustive. All deaths are serious, but these are some of the most henious ones.
We condemn killings and terror against all faiths and in all ramifications.
