The Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), the Joint Task Force responsible for counter‑terrorism operations in the North‑East, has identified Shariff Umar as the principal coordinator of recent suicide bombing attacks in the region, the military said on Saturday.
The breakthrough followed an intelligence‑led cordon‑and‑search operations conducted on 31 December 2025 in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri, Borno State, during which 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing activities were arrested, the military’s Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, told journalists.
Subsequent investigations, he said, uncovered the structure and operational linkages of a terror cell believed to be behind a string of suicide attacks and attempted bombings across the North‑East.
“During the investigation, a suspected suicide bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, unequivocally identified Shariff Umar (also known as ‘Yusuf’) as the ringleader and coordinator of the terror network,” Uba said.
According to Lt.‑Col. Uba, consistent and corroborated statements from suspects reveal that Umar was responsible for recruiting, preparing, directing, and dispatching suicide bombers to assigned targets, as well as coordinating logistics and delivery of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components.
The military’s statement also linked Umar to the 24 December 2025 suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, when his alleged associate, identified as Adamu, detonated a vest, killing and injuring worshippers during evening prayers.
“He (Umar) was also identified as the coordinator of the foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, personally handing over IED components to the suicide bomber in Maiduguri.”
Further intelligence reportedly established additional connections within the network, including the involvement of Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, and the corroboration of his stepdaughter, Amina, who admitted seeing a suspected bomber inside their home.
“These findings significantly strengthened the investigative trail and exposed the domestic and community‑based concealment methods employed by terrorist facilitators,” the army said.
Lt.‑Col. Uba emphasised that all suspects remain in custody and are undergoing intensive, multi‑layered investigations aimed at dismantling the network fully, identifying additional collaborators and recovering explosive materials and logistical assets.
He also stressed the importance of sustained cooperation between security forces and civilians in combating terrorism.
“Terrorist networks often survive by hiding within communities, exploiting silence, fear, or misplaced loyalty. Timely information from law‑abiding citizens remains one of the most powerful tools in preventing attacks and saving innocent lives,” Uba said.
Suicide bombings and related attacks remain a persistent threat in the North‑East, where Islamist insurgents, including splinter groups of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), continue to attack civilian and security targets despite sustained military pressure.
Lt.‑Col. Uba urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements or activities to security agencies as part of efforts to restore stability and prevent further loss of life in the volatile region.
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