Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested one Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, identified as the key coordinator of a suicide bombing network responsible for recent attacks and attempted attacks in the North-East, including the Maiduguri mosque bombing.
The military said the arrest followed intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations carried out by troops at the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, the Army disclosed in a statement.
According to the statement, the operation led to the arrest of 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing activities, with subsequent investigations uncovering the structure, roles and operational linkages of the terror cell.
It said a suspected suicide bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, identified Shariff Umar as the ringleader who recruited, prepared and dispatched suicide bombers to assigned targets.
“Consistent and corroborated statements revealed that Shariff Umar coordinated logistics and the delivery of improvised explosive device (IED) components for suicide attacks,” the statement said.
The Nigerian military further stated that investigations established Umar’s direct coordination of the suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque on December 24, 2025, in which his accomplice, identified as Adamu, detonated a suicide vest and died in the process.
Umar was also linked to the foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, having personally handed over IED components to the would-be bomber in Maiduguri, according to the statement.
Further intelligence revealed the involvement of Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, while his stepdaughter, Amina, confirmed seeing the suspected bomber within their residence prior to the attack.
“These findings exposed the domestic and community-based concealment methods employed by terrorist facilitators,” the military said.
It added that all suspects remain in custody and are undergoing intensive investigations to dismantle the network, identify additional collaborators and recover any remaining explosives or logistical support.
The military stressed that the breakthrough underscored the importance of cooperation between security agencies and the civilian population, noting that terrorist networks often survive by hiding within communities.
It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to security agencies, adding that sustained cooperation was critical to preventing attacks and restoring lasting peace in the region.
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