The Nigerian military says it has identified one Shariff Umar as the principal coordinator of suicide bombing activities in the North East, following a series of intelligence-led operations by Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK).
In a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Officer of OPHK on Saturday, said Umar, also known as “Yusuf,” masterminded the recruitment, training, and deployment of suicide bombers, in addition to overseeing the logistics and delivery of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to targets across the region.
The breakthrough came after cordon-and-search operations in Kalmari, Maiduguri, on December 31 2025, which led to the arrest of 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing networks.
Investigations revealed Umar’s involvement in the December 24 2025 suicide bombing at Gamboru Market Mosque, where his accomplice, Adamu, detonated a suicide vest.
He was also linked to a foiled bombing attempt in Damaturu, during which he personally handed IED components to the would-be bomber.
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The probe further implicated Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, and stepdaughter, Amina, who admitted seeing the suspect bomber at their residence.
OPHK described these revelations as critical in exposing the domestic and community-based concealment methods employed by terrorist networks.
Uba emphasised the importance of public cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The military has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or activities to security agencies, stressing that collaboration between OPHK and local communities is vital for rooting out terrorism and restoring lasting peace in the North East.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
