Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have arrested a man accused of orchestrating the suicide bombing that killed five worshippers and injured 34 others at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement by the operation’s spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, who identified the suspect as Sheriff Umar. He described Umar as a central figure in coordinating suicide bombing operations linked to recent attacks and failed plots in the North East.
According to the statement, Umar was apprehended during intelligence-driven cordon-and-search operations carried out in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025. Fourteen other suspects believed to be connected to suicide bombing activities were also arrested during the operation.
Uba said investigations uncovered the structure and operational roles of the terror cell. A suspected suicide bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, reportedly identified Sheriff Umar—also known as “Yusuf”—as the ringleader responsible for recruiting, training, directing and deploying suicide bombers, as well as coordinating logistics and supplying components for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Further findings allegedly linked Umar to the December 24, 2025 suicide attack at the Gamboru Market Mosque, where an accomplice identified as Adamu detonated a suicide vest and died in the blast. He was also said to be involved in a foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, where he allegedly handed over IED materials to an intended attacker.
The investigation also pointed to possible involvement of members of the suspect’s household, including his wife, Yagana Modu, while his stepdaughter, Amina, reportedly confirmed seeing a suspected bomber at their residence.
Uba noted that all suspects remain in custody and are undergoing intensive interrogation aimed at dismantling the network, identifying additional collaborators and recovering any remaining explosives or logistical assets.
The military reiterated the need for strong cooperation between security agencies and local communities, stressing that terrorist groups often rely on secrecy and fear to operate.
Members of the public were urged to stay alert and report suspicious persons or activities to security agencies, emphasizing that community support remains critical to preventing attacks and restoring lasting peace in the region.