North-East Suicide Bombing Mastermind Exposed
The Nigerian Army–led Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has identified Shariff Umar as the key coordinator behind a suicide bombing network responsible for recent attacks and attempts across the North East.
OPHK announced this in a statement signed by Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), in Maiduguri on Saturday.
The disclosure followed intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations in Maiduguri’s Kalmari area on December 31, 2025, which resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing activities.
The statement revealed that a suspect in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, identified Shariff Umar, also known as ‘Yusuf,’ as the mastermind of the network. Umar reportedly recruited, prepared, and dispatched suicide bombers and managed logistics, including the delivery of explosive devices.
Investigations showed that Umar coordinated the December 24, 2025, suicide bombing at Gamboru Market Mosque, in which his accomplice, Adamu, detonated a suicide vest and died. Umar also played a role in a foiled suicide attack in Damaturu and personally handed over IED components to a would-be bomber in Maiduguri, the statement added.
Further investigations uncovered involvement of Umar’s family. Lt.-Col. Uba stated that Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, and his stepdaughter, Amina, provided crucial information. Amina confirmed that a suspect bomber had previously stayed in their residence, helping authorities understand how the network concealed its operations within communities.
All suspects are currently in custody, undergoing intensive investigations to dismantle the network, identify collaborators, and recover explosives and logistical assets.
Uba called on the public to assist security forces, emphasizing the importance of timely information from law-abiding citizens in preventing attacks and saving lives. He urged everyone to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
