Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, identified as the mastermind behind a series of suicide bombings in Nigeria’s North-East, including the deadly attack on a Maiduguri mosque.
The military disclosed that the arrest followed intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025. A total of 14 suspects linked to suicide bombings were taken into custody during the operation, which helped authorities uncover the structure, roles, and operational network of the terror cell.
Investigations revealed that Umar recruited, trained, and dispatched suicide bombers to assigned targets. A suspected bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, identified Umar as the ringleader responsible for orchestrating the attacks and providing logistics support, including improvised explosive device (IED) components.
The Nigerian military confirmed Umar’s direct involvement in the Gamboru Market Mosque bombing on December 24, 2025, in which his accomplice, Adamu, detonated a suicide vest. Umar was also linked to a foiled attack in Damaturu, handing over IED materials to the would-be bomber in Maiduguri.
Further intelligence implicated Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, while his stepdaughter, Amina, reportedly saw the suspected bomber at their home prior to the attack. The military highlighted these findings as evidence of how terrorist facilitators exploit domestic and community networks to conceal their activities.
All suspects remain in custody and are undergoing intensive investigations to dismantle the network, identify additional collaborators, and recover any remaining explosives.
The military emphasized the importance of civilian cooperation in preventing attacks, urging the public to report suspicious activities to security agencies to help restore peace and security in the North-East.
