The Nigerian military has identified Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, as the alleged mastermind behind a network of suicide bombings responsible for recent deadly attacks in the North-East, including the December 24 bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri.
The disclosure followed intelligence-led operations conducted by troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025, during which 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing activities were arrested.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Maiduguri, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said investigations uncovered the structure, roles and operational linkages of the terror cell.
According to the military, a detained suspected suicide bomber, Ibrahim Muhammad, provided critical information during interrogation, identifying Shariff Umar as the coordinator and ringleader of the network.
Lt. Col. Uba said Umar was responsible for recruiting, indoctrinating and deploying suicide bombers, as well as coordinating logistics and the supply of improvised explosive device (IED) components.
Investigations further revealed that Umar allegedly coordinated the suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque on December 24, 2025, during which an accomplice, Adamu, now deceased, detonated a suicide vest.
He was also accused of organising a foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, Yobe State, and personally delivering IED components to a would-be bomber.
The military said additional links within the network had been uncovered, including the alleged involvement of Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, while his stepdaughter, Amina, reportedly confirmed seeing a suspected bomber within their residence.
“All suspects remain in custody and are undergoing intensive, multi-layered investigations aimed at dismantling the network, identifying additional collaborators and recovering any remaining explosives or logistical assets,” the statement said.
The military also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that cooperation between civilians and security forces remains critical to preventing attacks and saving lives.
