Hundreds of Boko Haram fighters and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been captured in a footage gathering in large numbers to observe Eid prayers in Borno State, brandishing assault rifles and other sophisticated weapons in a brazen show of force.
Eid, a major Islamic festival observed after the holy month of Ramadan, a period marked by fasting, prayer and spiritual reflection by Muslims worldwide, is traditionally a time of peace, charity and communal worship.
However, the emergence of heavily armed insurgents conducting such prayers in an open field underscores growing concerns over insecurity in Nigeria’s North-East.
In a series of multimedia clips released by propaganda platform AZ-ZALLAQA, on Saturday, a large number of terrorists were seen lined up in formation, observing prayers in congregation while clutching AK-47 rifles and other high-grade weapons.
The footage shows the insurgents occupying what appeared to be an Eid prayer ground in Borno, a state that has remained the epicentre of insurgency in Nigeria for over a decade.
The display has sparked outrage and fear among residents and security analysts, who say the development raises fresh questions about the operational strength of the terror groups and the effectiveness of ongoing military operations in the region.
Boko Haram and ISWAP have long terrorised communities across Borno and neighbouring states, carrying out deadly attacks, mass abductions, and displacing millions of civilians.
Despite repeated claims by the Nigerian government and military that the insurgents have been “technically defeated,” incidents like this continue to challenge that narrative.
The recent bombings in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State occurred on the evening of March 16, and represent one of the deadliest attacks in the city in recent years.
Multiple explosions struck crowded civilian locations, including the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the Monday Market, and a central post office.
The blasts happened during a busy period around sunset, when many residents were breaking their Ramadan fast or returning home, which contributed to the high number of casualties.
Casualty figures varied in the immediate aftermath, but reports indicate that at least 26 people were killed and over 100 others injured, with some later estimates placing the death toll even higher.
Hospitals in the city were overwhelmed as emergency responders rushed victims for treatment, and eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes with many wounded lying on the ground awaiting help.
The scale of the injuries and fatalities underscored the devastating impact of the coordinated attacks on civilians.The nature of the attacks—believed to be carried out by suicide bombers targeting crowded public areas—fits the pattern of previous insurgent operations in the region.
