The Nigerian military says it has identified the principal coordinator of a suicide bombing network responsible for a wave of deadly attacks in the country’s North-East.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Joint Task Force (JTF) named the suspect as Shariff Umar, also known as “Yusuf.” He is accused of orchestrating the Christmas Eve bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, as well as several other attempted strikes.
The breakthrough follows a series of intelligence-led raids in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on New Year’s Eve, which led to the arrest of 14 suspects.
‘The Ringleader’
According to military officials, the structure of the terror cell was uncovered following the interrogation of a detained suicide bomber, Ibrahim Muhammad.
The military’s spokesperson, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said the investigation “unequivocally identified” Umar as the man responsible for:
- Recruitment: Identifying and preparing individuals for suicide missions.
- Logistics: Coordinating the delivery and assembly of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components.
- Command: Directing the Christmas Eve attack in Maiduguri where an accomplice, named as Adamu, detonated his vest.
Umar is also accused of personally handing over explosives for a foiled suicide mission in Damaturu, Yobe State.
A family network
The investigation has revealed what appears to be a deeply embedded network. Military sources say Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, has been implicated in the cell’s activities.
Furthermore, his stepdaughter, Amina, reportedly confirmed to investigators that she had seen the suspected bombers within the family’s residence. All members of the group remain in custody as part of a “multi-layered investigation” to recover any remaining explosives.
A plea for community help
The North-East of Nigeria has faced a long-running insurgency by groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Lt. Col. Uba emphasised that terrorist networks often survive by “hiding within communities” and exploiting the silence or fear of residents. He urged the public to provide timely information, describing it as “one of the most powerful tools in preventing attacks and saving innocent lives.”
The military’s success in dismantling this specific cell is being seen as a significant win for Operation Hadin Kai, the ongoing counter-insurgency mission in the region.
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