The Nigerian Army, on Saturday, said it has made a major breakthrough in its sustained counter-terrorism operations with the identification and arrest of Sheriff Umar as the principal coordinator of suicide bombings responsible for recent attacks and attempted attacks within the North-East region.
The development followed intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations conducted at the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025, during which 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing activities were arrested. Subsequent detailed identification and investigative processes established the structure, roles, and operational linkages of the terror cell.
A statement issued to journalists in Maiduguri by the media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai Joint Taskforce, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said during the investigation, a suspected suicide bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, unequivocally identified Sheriff Umar (also known as “Yusuf”) as the ringleader and coordinator of the terror network.
He said according to consistent and corroborated statements, Sheriff Umar was responsible for recruiting, preparing, directing, and dispatching suicide bombers to assigned targets, as well as coordinating logistics and delivery of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components.
The statement added that investigations further revealed that Shariff Umar directly coordinated the suicide bombing attack at the Gamboru Market Mosque on December 24, 2025, during which his accomplice, Adamu (now deceased), detonated a suicide vest.
He was also identified as the coordinator of the foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, having personally handed over IED components to the suicide bomber in Maiduguri.
Additional links within the network were established, including the involvement of Shariff Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, and the confirmation by his stepdaughter, Amina, who admitted to previously seeing the suspected bomber within their residence. These findings significantly strengthened the investigative trail and exposed the domestic and community-based concealment methods employed by terrorist facilitators.
All suspects remained firmly in custody and were undergoing intensive, multi-layered investigations aimed at fully dismantling the network, identifying additional collaborators, and recovering any remaining explosives or logistical assets.
OPHK underscored that this success once again highlighted the critical importance of effective collaboration between security forces and the civil populace.
Terrorist networks often survive by hiding within communities, exploiting silence, fear, or misplaced loyalty. Timely information from law-abiding citizens remains one of the most powerful tools in preventing attacks and saving innocent lives.
The statement added that members of the public were therefore strongly urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements, or activities to security agencies. Cooperation and trust between troops of OPHK and local communities are essential to completely rooting out terrorism and restoring lasting peace across the region.
