Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested eight suspects over their alleged involvement in a suicide bombing at a mosque in Borno State.
The attack occurred on December 24, 2025, when a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) inside a mosque in Maiduguri.
At least five worshippers were killed and 35 others sustained injuries from the explosion.
A statement by Sani Uba, media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, said the arrested suspects include two principal individuals “believed to be key facilitators within the suicide bombing network”.
Uba said the eight suspects were apprehended during an operation in Yan Lemo area of Mubi south local government 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 apprehended two suspects in connection with the bombing.
Shariff Umar has been named by the army as the “principal coordinator” of a suicide bombing network linked to recent attacks and attempted attacks in the north-east.