Maiduguri mosque blast: Troops arrest suspected suicide bombing coordinator

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have apprehended a man accused of coordinating the bomb attack that claimed five lives and left 34 others injured after a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) inside a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The suspect’s arrest was confirmed in a statement by the operation’s spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, who identified him as Sheriff Umra and described him as a central figure in a network responsible for suicide bombing operations connected to recent attacks and failed attempts across the North East.

According to the statement, the arrest followed intelligence-driven cordon-and-search operations carried out in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025.

The exercise led to the detention of 14 individuals suspected of involvement in suicide bombing-related activities.

“Subsequent detailed identification and investigative processes established the structure, roles and operational linkages of the terror cell,” Uba said.

He explained that during interrogation, a suspected suicide bomber already in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, identified Sheriff Umar, also known as “Yusuf,” as the alleged leader and coordinator of the group.

“According to consistent and corroborated statements, Shariff was responsible for recruiting, preparing, directing and dispatching suicide bombers to assigned targets, as well as coordinating logistics and the delivery of improvised explosive device (IED) components,” the spokesman said.

Uba further disclosed that investigations linked the suspect to the suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque on December 24, 2025, where an accomplice identified as Adamu detonated a suicide vest and died in the blast.

He added that the suspect was also allegedly involved in a failed suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, during which he reportedly supplied IED components to the intended attacker.

The army spokesman said investigators uncovered additional links within the network, including the alleged involvement of the suspect’s wife, Yagana Modu, while his stepdaughter, Amina, reportedly confirmed seeing a suspected bomber inside their home.

“These findings significantly strengthened the investigative trail and exposed the domestic and community-based concealment methods employed by terrorist facilitators,” Uba said.

He noted that all suspects remain in custody and are undergoing intensive investigation aimed at dismantling the network, identifying other collaborators, and recovering any remaining explosives or logistical materials.

The military also stressed the importance of collaboration between security agencies and local residents.

“Terrorist networks often survive by hiding within communities, exploiting silence, fear or misplaced loyalty. Timely information from law-abiding citizens remains one of the most effective tools in preventing attacks and saving innocent lives,” the statement said.

Members of the public were urged to stay alert and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to security agencies, as cooperation and trust were described as vital to achieving lasting peace in the region.