January 3, 2026 | News
The Nigerian military has recorded a major breakthrough in its counterterrorism operations in the North-East with the arrest of a key coordinator behind a string of suicide bombings and attempted attacks, including the deadly explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri.
Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) arrested Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, during an intelligence-driven cordon-and-search operation conducted in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025, SUNTV Global Channel has learned.
In a statement released by the Army, Umar was identified as the central figure coordinating a suicide bombing network responsible for recent terror activities across parts of Borno and Yobe states. The operation also led to the arrest of 14 additional suspects believed to be directly linked to suicide bombing plots in the region.
According to military authorities, detailed investigations following the arrests exposed the internal structure, operational roles and logistical channels of the terror cell. A suspected suicide bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, reportedly provided crucial information, identifying Shariff Umar as the ringleader who recruited, trained, equipped and deployed suicide bombers to designated targets.
“Consistent and corroborated statements revealed that Shariff Umar coordinated logistics and facilitated the delivery of improvised explosive device (IED) components used in suicide attacks,” the military disclosed.
The Army further confirmed that Umar directly coordinated the December 24, 2025 suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, where one of his accomplices, identified as Adamu, detonated a suicide vest and died during the attack. The explosion caused widespread panic and raised renewed concerns over the persistence of insurgent networks in civilian areas.
Investigations also linked Umar to a foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, Yobe State. Military sources said Umar personally handed over IED components to the would-be bomber in Maiduguri before the suspect attempted to move toward the target location.
Further intelligence gathered during interrogations revealed that Umar allegedly operated with the support and knowledge of close family members. His wife, Yagana Modu, was implicated in the network, while his stepdaughter, Amina, reportedly confirmed seeing the suspected suicide bomber within their residence prior to the attack.
“These findings have exposed the domestic and community-based concealment methods often employed by terrorist facilitators to evade detection,” the Army stated, warning that insurgent elements frequently hide within civilian populations to sustain their operations.
The military confirmed that all suspects remain in custody and are currently undergoing intensive interrogation aimed at dismantling the entire network, identifying additional collaborators, and recovering any remaining explosives, weapons or logistical assets.
Describing the arrests as a significant blow to insurgent operations in the North-East, the Army stressed that the success of the operation highlighted the critical role of timely intelligence and cooperation between security agencies and civilians.
The military urged residents of the region to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious movements or activities to security authorities, emphasizing that sustained public cooperation remains essential to preventing further attacks and restoring lasting peace in the troubled region.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as investigations progress.
