Army Arrests Alleged Suicide Bombing Kingpin Behind Maiduguri Mosque Attack

Maiduguri,  Borno State– Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested a man identified as Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, whom the military described as the key coordinator of a suicide bombing network responsible for recent deadly attacks and attempted attacks in Nigeria’s North-East.

The arrest followed an intelligence-led cordon-and-search operation carried out on December 31 in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri, Borno State, the Army disclosed in a statement.

According to the military, the operation led to the arrest of 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing activities. Subsequent investigations uncovered the structure, roles and operational linkages of the terror cell.

The Army said a suspected suicide bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, identified Shariff Umar as the ringleader who recruited, prepared and deployed suicide bombers to assigned targets across the regregio.

The statement read, “Consistent and corroborated statements revealed that Shariff Umar coordinated logistics and the delivery of improvised explosive device (IED) components for suicide attacks.”

Military authorities further revealed that investigations established Umar’s direct involvement in the suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque on December 24, 2025.

Meanwhile, during the attack, an accomplice identified as Adamu detonated a suicide vest inside the mosque and died instantly.

Umar was also linked to a foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The Army said he personally handed over IED components to the would-be bomber in Maiduguri before the planned attack was intercepted.

Further intelligence, according to the military, exposed the involvement of Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, while his stepdaughter, Amina, confirmed that she saw the suspected bomber inside their residence prior to the attack.

“These findings exposed the domestic and community-based concealment methods employed by terrorist facilitators,” the Army said, noting how insurgents often embed themselves within civilian populations to evade detection.

The military added that all suspects remain in custody and are undergoing intensive investigations aimed at dismantling the network, identifying additional collaborators, and recovering any remaining explosives or logistical support.

Describing the arrest as a major breakthrough, the Army stressed the importance of cooperation between security agencies and civilians, warning that terrorist networks thrive largely through silence and concealment within communities.

It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or individuals to security agencies, stressing that sustained collaboration was critical to preventing further attacks and restoring lasting peace in the North-East.