- Nigerian Army arrests bomb attack coordinator linked to suicide bombings in Borno
- Suspect allegedly recruited and deployed suicide bombers across the North-East
- Gamboru Market Mosque bombing traced directly to the arrested coordinator
- 14 suspects now in custody as investigations widen to dismantle the network
The Nigerian Army has arrested a key bomb attack coordinator in Borno State, following intelligence-led operations by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, dealing a major blow to a terror network responsible for suicide bombings and failed attacks across Nigeria’s North-East.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have taken into custody Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, who investigators believe served as the chief coordinator of suicide bomb attacks carried out in Borno and neighbouring states.
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The arrest was confirmed on Saturday by Lt. Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, who said Umar played a central role in recruiting, training, and deploying suicide bombers, as well as managing the supply of IED components.
“During interrogation, a suspected suicide bomber currently in custody clearly identified Shariff Umar as the ringleader and operational coordinator of the network,” Uba said.
According to military findings, Umar personally orchestrated the suicide bombing at Gamboru Market Mosque on December 24, 2025, where an accomplice detonated an explosive vest. He was also linked to a foiled attack in Damaturu, where he allegedly handed over bomb materials to a would-be attacker.
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Further investigations uncovered that Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, and his stepdaughter, Amina, had knowledge of the network’s activities, exposing how terror cells often hide within families and communities to avoid detection.
“All 14 suspects arrested so far remain in custody and are undergoing detailed investigations aimed at dismantling the entire terror network and recovering any remaining explosives,” Uba added.
The Army stressed that the breakthrough was made possible through timely intelligence and community cooperation, urging residents to continue reporting suspicious movements.
“Terrorist networks survive by hiding among civilians. Information from the public remains one of the strongest tools to stop attacks and save lives,” Uba said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has intensified air strikes against terrorist hideouts across the North-East and North-West, destroying bomb-making facilities and neutralising armed groups in coordinated operations between January 1 and 2, 2026.
Military authorities say the sustained ground and air offensives are part of a broader effort to deny terrorists safe havens and restore lasting security in affected regions.
