The Nigerian army has recognized one Shariff Umar, also referred to as Yusuf, because the suspected principal coordinator of a suicide bombing community linked to latest lethal assaults within the North-East.
This additionally included the December 24 bombing on the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri.
This, in response to the army, adopted intelligence-led operations by troops of the Joint Job Drive North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), which culminated within the arrest of a number of suspects believed to be related to suicide bombing actions.
In an announcement issued on Saturday in Maiduguri, Sani Uba, Media Data Officer of OPHK, mentioned the breakthrough got here after a collection of cordon-and-search operations performed within the Kalmari space of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025. In the course of the operation, 14 suspects have been arrested.
Learn additionally: Troops arrest suspected suicide bomber in Borno
In keeping with the assertion, subsequent investigations enabled troops to unravel the construction, roles and operational linkages of the phobia cell behind latest assaults.
“This growth adopted intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations performed on the Kalmari space of Maiduguri on thirty first December 2025, throughout which 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing actions have been arrested. Subsequent detailed identification and investigative processes established the construction, roles, and operational linkages of the phobia cell,” the assertion mentioned.
The army mentioned a detained suspect, Ibrahim Muhammad, recognized as a would-be suicide bomber, supplied crucial data throughout interrogation, immediately implicating Shariff Umar because the ringleader and coordinator of the community.
“In the course of the investigation, a suspected suicide bomber presently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, unequivocally recognized Shariff Umar (also referred to as ‘Yusuf’) because the ringleader and coordinator of the phobia community,” it famous.
In keeping with the assertion, investigations revealed that Umar allegedly performed a central function in recruiting, getting ready and deploying suicide bombers, in addition to coordinating logistics and the provision of improvised explosive gadget (IED) elements.
“In keeping with constant and corroborated statements, Shariff Umar was liable for recruiting, getting ready, directing and dispatching suicide bombers to assigned targets, in addition to coordinating logistics and supply of IED elements,” the assertion famous.
The army additional alleged that Umar personally coordinated the December 24 suicide bombing on the Gamboru Market Mosque, wherein an confederate recognized as Adamu, now deceased, detonated a suicide vest.
Umar was additionally accused of organising a foiled suicide bombing try in Damaturu, Yobe State, the place he allegedly handed over IED elements to a suicide bomber in Maiduguri earlier than the deliberate assault was disrupted.
The army additionally uncovered further hyperlinks throughout the community, together with the alleged involvement of his spouse, Yagana Modu. His stepdaughter, Amina, additionally reportedly supplied corroborating data.
“Further hyperlinks throughout the community have been established, together with the involvement of Shariff Umar’s spouse, Yagana Modu, and the affirmation by his stepdaughter, Amina, who admitted to beforehand seeing the suspect bomber inside their residence,” the assertion added.
The army mentioned all suspects stay in custody and are present process intensive, multi-layered investigations geared toward dismantling the community, figuring out further collaborators and recovering any remaining explosives or logistical belongings.
The army additionally referred to as on residents of the North-East to proceed supporting safety operations by offering well timed and credible data, stressing that neighborhood cooperation stays important in stopping assaults.
“This success as soon as once more highlights the crucial significance of efficient collaboration between safety forces and the civil populace.
“Terrorist networks usually survive by hiding inside communities, exploiting silence, concern or misplaced loyalty,” it mentioned.
It added that well timed data from law-abiding residents stays some of the efficient instruments for disrupting terror plots and saving lives.
