Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded a major counterterrorism breakthrough with the arrest of Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, identified as the key coordinator behind a deadly suicide bombing network operating in the North-East.
The Nigerian Army disclosed on Friday that Umar was arrested during an intelligence-led cordon-and-search operation carried out in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025. The operation, executed with precision, led to the arrest of 14 suspects linked to planned and executed suicide attacks across the region.
Military sources said preliminary investigations exposed the inner workings of the terror cell, including recruitment patterns, logistics chains and operational linkages. A suspect already in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, reportedly confessed that Shariff Umar served as the ringleader—responsible for recruiting, preparing and dispatching suicide bombers to their targets.
According to the Army, corroborated testimonies revealed that Umar coordinated logistics and personally handled the delivery of improvised explosive device (IED) components used in suicide missions.
Investigators further established that Umar directly masterminded the December 24, 2025 suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque, where an accomplice identified as Adamu detonated an explosive vest and died in the blast.
Umar was also linked to a foiled suicide attack in Damaturu, with intelligence indicating he personally handed over explosive components to the would-be bomber in Maiduguri before the plot was disrupted.
In a disturbing twist, the Army revealed that Umar’s operations extended into his household. His wife, Yagana Modu, was found to be complicit, while his stepdaughter, Amina, confirmed seeing the suspected suicide bomber within their residence prior to the Gamboru attack.
“These findings expose the domestic and community-based concealment tactics used by terrorist facilitators to evade detection,” the Army said.
All suspects remain in military custody and are undergoing intensive interrogation aimed at dismantling the wider network, identifying additional collaborators and recovering any remaining explosives or logistical support.
The Army stressed that the breakthrough highlights the critical role of civilian–military cooperation, noting that terrorist cells often survive by blending into communities.
Members of the public were urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or individuals to security agencies, as sustained cooperation remains key to preventing attacks and restoring lasting peace in the North-East.
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