The Nigerian Military has taken into custody Shariff Umar, recognized because the coordinator of a suicide bombing community working within the North-East.
The transfer follows intelligence-led operations that led to the arrest of 14 suspects linked to suicide assaults in Maiduguri on December 31, 2025.
The announcement was contained in an announcement issued by Sani Uba, Media Data Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, on January 3, 2026.
In accordance with the assertion, Shariff Umar, also referred to as “Yusuf,” is accused of orchestrating latest suicide assaults, together with the bombing at Gamboru Market Mosque on December 24, 2025, and a foiled assault in Damaturu.
Investigations revealed that Umar was liable for recruiting, getting ready, and dispatching suicide bombers, in addition to coordinating logistics and supplying Improvised Explosive System (IED) elements.
The intelligence-led cordon-and-search operation within the Kalmari space of Maiduguri led to the arrest of 14 suspects. Throughout questioning, a suspected suicide bomber, Ibrahim Muhammad, immediately recognized Shariff Umar because the ringleader.
“Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has made a serious breakthrough in its sustained counter-terrorism operations with the identification of Shariff Umar because the principal coordinator of suicide bombing actions liable for latest assaults and tried assaults inside the North East.
“This improvement adopted intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations carried out on the Kalmari space of Maiduguri on 31 December 2025, throughout which 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing actions have been arrested,” the assertion learn partly.
Additional investigations uncovered hyperlinks inside Umar’s family, together with his spouse, Yagana Modu, and stepdaughter, Amina, who confirmed the presence of suspect bombers at their residence.
The Military mentioned all suspects stay in custody as investigations proceed to dismantle the community, determine collaborators, and get better explosives. It urged the general public to remain vigilant, report suspicious exercise, and cooperate to forestall additional assaults within the North-East.
The Gamboru Market Mosque bombing, which killed not less than 5 folks and injured round 35 throughout night prayers on Christmas Eve, is now immediately linked to Shariff Umar.
The North-East and surrounding areas of Nigeria have lengthy confronted terrorist assaults, armed assaults, and bombings focusing on civilians, markets, and locations of worship.
The Federal Authorities has strengthened safety efforts. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a nationwide safety emergency and overhauled regulation enforcement management. Defence Minister Basic Christopher Musa has targeted on enhancing intelligence, speedy response, and operational readiness.
Nigeria can also be cooperating intently with the USA. In December 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump authorised precision airstrikes in opposition to terrorist bases within the North-West following intelligence coordination with Nigerian authorities.