By Olarewaju Kola

MAIDUGURI, (AA): At least 24 worshippers were killed in a suspected suicide bomb attack at a mosque on the outskirts of the restive Nigerian city of Maiduguri early Wednesday morning, national state emergency services said.

“So far, 24 people have died in the bomb attack,” Ahmed Satomi, chairman of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, said in his briefing to State Governor Kashim Shettima at the blast site.

Satomi said only the mosque imam survived the attack. “Though, even he is in critical condition,” he added.

Earlier, Nigerian army spokesman Col. Sani Usman also confirmed the attack in a statement, saying it was allegedly carried out by female bombers.

Mohammed Sugum, a resident, told Anadolu Agency that two suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers joined other worshippers during early morning prayers at a mosque in Ummarari village near Molai, a settlement on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

According to residents, one of the suspected bombers had allegedly disguised herself as a male worshipper to gain entry into the mosque, while the other stayed outside at the entrance. After the first blast, the second bomber pretended to be a victim and shouted for help.

But when people rushed towards her to help, “she exploded with her baby strapped to her back and killed some women,” Moh’d Modu, a resident who lives some 400 meters from the mosque, said.

Although the northeastern city of Maiduguri is considered the epicenter of Nigeria’s six-year insurgency, it has witnessed relative peace in recent months.

The last bomb attack in the area occurred in January. There are still pockets of attacks in remote communities, though authorities claim to have decimated Boko Haram.

[Photo: A view from inside of a mosque is seen after a suicide bomber attack in Maiduguri, Nigeria on March 16, 2016. Several people killed and wounded after the attack. Photographer: Stringer/AA]