The mosque may have been targeted because it was comprised of people who did not accept the Islamic State’s authority, and thus was considered heretical and apostate.
“UPDATED: Five people dead as explosions rock Maiduguri ahead of Buhari’s visit,” by Dogara Bitrus, Punch, December 23, 2021:
Five persons have been confirmed dead from bomb explosions suspected to have emanated from Boko Haram insurgents in Maiduguri ahead of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)’s visit.
A source in Ajilari cross in the Maiduguri metropolis who is simply named Maina Mohammed confirmed to our correspondent that a bomb exploded very close to his house killing a lady and injuring two young boys.
“It dropped in my area. I am there right now. It killed an 18-year-old girl and injured two young boys,” he said.
Another source, Umar Tijani, said a bomb dropped at a mosque in Umaru Shehu Hospital but did not affect anybody while there was another explosion at 1,000 Housing and 707 Housing Estates within the Maiduguri metropolis….
