Nigeria’s counter terrorism campaign in the North East recorded a major intelligence breakthrough as troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) identified Shariff Umar as the principal coordinator behind recent suicide bombing attacks and failed attempts across the region.
Zig Diaries Defence
Date: Saturday, 03 January 2026
Time: 14:30 WAT
Location: 📍 Maiduguri, Nigeria
According to a statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the identification followed intelligence led cordon and search operations conducted in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on 31 December 2025.
The operation led to the arrest of 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing activities, after which detailed profiling and investigative processes exposed the internal structure, roles and operational linkages of the terror cell.
During interrogation, a suspected suicide bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, identified Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, as the ringleader and operational coordinator of the network. Investigators established that Umar was responsible for recruiting, preparing, directing and dispatching suicide bombers to designated targets, while also coordinating logistics and the delivery of Improvised Explosive Device components.
Further findings revealed that Shariff Umar coordinated the suicide bombing attack at Gamboru Market Mosque on 24 December 2025, where his accomplice, Adamu, now deceased, detonated a suicide vest. He was also linked to the foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, where he reportedly handed over IED components to the intended bomber in Maiduguri.
Investigations also uncovered domestic and community based concealment methods used by the network. Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, was identified as being linked to the terror cell, while his stepdaughter, Amina, admitted to previously seeing the suspect bomber within their residence. These disclosures significantly strengthened the investigative trail and exposed how terrorist facilitators embed themselves within civilian environments.
All suspects remain in custody and are undergoing intensive, multilayered investigations aimed at dismantling the entire network, identifying additional collaborators and recovering any remaining explosives or logistical assets.
Operation HADIN KAI stressed that the breakthrough once again underscores the importance of cooperation between security forces and local communities, noting that terrorist networks often survive by exploiting silence, fear or misplaced loyalty.
Troops urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to security agencies, stressing that timely intelligence from law abiding citizens remains one of the most effective tools for preventing attacks and saving lives.
🏷️ Tags: Operation HADIN KAI, Suicide Bombing, Counter Terrorism, North East Nigeria, Nigerian Army, Security Operations
#ZigDiariesDefence #OperationHadinKai #CounterTerrorism #NorthEastNigeria #SecurityUpdate
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