Eight suspects linked to Borno mosque bombing arrested by troops

No fewer than eight suspects linked to the recent suicide bombing inside a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno state have been arrested by the troops of Operation Hadin Kai.

It would be recalled that a suicide bomber had on December 24, 2025, detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) inside a mosque at Gamborun Market in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, where at least five worshippers were killed and 35 others injured from the explosion.

In a statement on Monday, Sani Uba, media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, said among those arrested are two principal suspects “believed to be key facilitators within the suicide bombing network”.

Uba said the eight suspects were arrested during an operation in Yan Lemo area of Mubi south LGA in Adamawa state in the early hours of Monday.

“A search of the suspects’ residence led to the recovery of cash, mobile phones, identification documents, ATM cards, jewellery, and other personal effects, which are currently undergoing forensic analysis to support ongoing investigations,” he said.

“During identification procedures, a suspect already in custody positively identified the two principal suspects as individuals who supplied materials used in preparing the Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

“Additional occupants of the residence were also linked to the network.

“All suspects remain in military custody, undergoing detailed interrogation to facilitate further intelligence recovery before being transferred for continued investigation.”

The army previously arrested two suspects in connection with the incident, while also named one Shariff Umar as the “principal coordinator” of a suicide bombing network linked to recent attacks and attempted attacks in the north-east.