Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have apprehended
Shariff Umar, also recognized as Yusuf, who is believed to be the primary
organizer of a suicide bombing network linked to a series of recent attacks and
foiled plots in the North-East.
The Army disclosed this in a statement on Friday after
intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations conducted at the Kalmari area of
Maiduguri on New Year’s Day.
Recall that suspected terrorists had on Christmas Eve
attacked the Al-Adum Mosque at Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, during prayers,
killing five people and injuring several others.
However, according to the statement as reported by Zagazola,
the operation led to the arrest of 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing
activities, with subsequent investigations uncovering the structure, roles and
operational linkages of the terror cell.
It said a suspected suicide bomber currently in custody,
Ibrahim Muhammad, identified Shariff Umar as the ringleader who recruited,
prepared and dispatched suicide bombers to assigned targets.
“Consistent and corroborated statements revealed that
Shariff Umar coordinated logistics and the delivery of improvised explosive
device (IED) components for suicide attacks,” the statement partly read.
The Army said investigations further established that Umar
directly coordinated the suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque on
Christmas Eve, in which his accomplice, identified as Adamu, detonated a
suicide vest and died in the process.
He was additionally associated with the thwarted suicide
bombing attempt in Damaturu, having reportedly delivered IED parts to the
intended attacker in Maiduguri, the statement stated.
The Army disclosed that additional intelligence pointed to
the involvement of Umar’s spouse, Yagana Modu, while his stepdaughter, Amina,
corroborated having seen the alleged bomber at their home prior to the incident
Source: Nigerian Army arrests key coordinator of Maiduguri mosque bombing
