Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, identified as the main coordinator of a su!cide bombing network behind recent attacks in the North-East, including the Maiduguri mosque bombing
The Army said the arrest was the result of intelligence-driven cordon-and-search operations conducted at Kalmari, Maiduguri, on December 31. The operation led to the detention of 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing activities. Investigations have since mapped out the network’s structure, roles, and operational connections.
A suspected su!cide bomber in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, named Shariff Umar as the ringleader responsible for recruiting, training, and dispatching suicide attackers to their targets. “Consistent and corroborated statements revealed that Shariff Umar coordinated logistics and the delivery of improvised explosive device (IED) components for suicide attacks,” the military said.
Umar was confirmed to have directly orchestrated the suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque on December 24, 2025, where his accomplice, Adamu, detonated a suicide vest and died. He was also linked to a foiled attack in Damaturu, having personally handed over IED components to the would-be bomber in Maiduguri.
Further intelligence implicated Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, while his stepdaughter, Amina, testified to seeing the suspected bomber at their home before the attack. “These findings exposed the domestic and community-based concealment methods employed by terrorist facilitators,” the military noted.
All suspects remain in custody and are undergoing detailed investigations to dismantle the network, identify additional collaborators, and recover remaining explosives or logistical support.
The Army emphasized that the breakthrough highlights the importance of cooperation between security agencies and local communities, warning that terrorist networks often hide within civilian populations. Citizens were urged to stay vigilant and report suspicious individuals or activities, stressing that continued collaboration is essential to preventing attacks and ensuring lasting peace in the North-East.
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 have arrested Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, identified as the main coordinator of a suicide bombing network behind recent attacks in the North-East, including the Maiduguri mosque bombing.){kind=link}