Army Nabs Mastermind Of Maiduguri Mosque Bombing, Uncovers Deadly Suicide Network

The Nigerian Army has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism in the North-East with the arrest of Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, identified as the key coordinator of a deadly suicide bombing network operating in Maiduguri and beyond.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) apprehended Umar during an intelligence-driven cordon-and-search operation carried out at the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025, the Army confirmed in a statement released on Friday.

The operation led to the arrest of 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing plots, with investigations exposing the inner workings, command structure and operational links of the terror cell.
According to the Army, a suspected suicide bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, identified Shariff Umar as the ringleader responsible for recruiting, indoctrinating and deploying suicide bombers to designated targets.

“Consistent and corroborated statements revealed that Shariff Umar coordinated logistics and supplied improvised explosive device (IED) components for suicide attacks,” the statement said.
Investigators further established that Umar personally coordinated the suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque on December 24, 2025, where his accomplice, identified as Adamu, detonated a suicide vest and died on the spot.
Umar was also linked to a foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, having allegedly handed over IED components to the would-be attacker in Maiduguri before the mission was aborted.
The Army disclosed that further intelligence uncovered the involvement of Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, while his stepdaughter, Amina, confirmed sighting the suspected bomber within their residence prior to the attack.
“These findings exposed the domestic and community-based concealment methods employed by terrorist facilitators,” the Army noted.
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 materials.
The Army described the arrest as a significant blow to terrorist operations in the region, stressing that the success underscored the critical role of cooperation between security agencies and civilians.
It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities, warning that terrorist networks often thrive by hiding within unsuspecting communities.
According to the Army, sustained public cooperation remains vital to preventing attacks and restoring lasting peace in the North-East.