Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested eight suspects over their alleged involvement in a recent suicide bombing at a mosque in Borno State.
The attack occurred on December 24, 2025, when a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device inside a mosque at Gamborun Market in Maiduguri, the state capital. At least five worshippers were killed, while 35 others sustained injuries.
In a statement issued on Monday, Sani Uba, media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, said two of those arrested are “believed to be key facilitators within the suicide bombing network”.
He said the suspects were arrested during an operation carried out in the Yan Lemo area of Mubi South local government area of 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,” Uba 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 had earlier arrested two suspects in connection with the bombing and identified Shariff Umar as the “principal coordinator” of a suicide bombing network linked to recent attacks and attempted attacks in the North-east.