Troops attached to Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected suicide bomber and seized materials believed to be meant for the production of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, during security operations in Borno State.
The development was confirmed on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the suspect, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, was apprehended on Monday by personnel of the 152 Task Force Battalion working alongside other security agencies in Bama Local Government Area.
The statement read, “The Joint Task Force North East, JTF NE, Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, has recorded a significant operational success with the arrest of a suspected suicide bomber and the interception of materials intended for the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, in Borno State.”
Uba explained that the arrest was the result of sustained intelligence-led operations aimed at securing Banki town in Bama Local Government Area.
The statement further noted, “At about 1740 hours (5:40pm) on Monday, 29 December 2025, personnel deployed at the Banki Central Mosque apprehended a suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha.”
He disclosed that the suspect was found carrying primed IED components, suggesting an imminent plan to launch an attack.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect hails from Bama Local Government Area and was further discovered to be in possession of additional incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities.
“He is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to establish his sponsors, collaborators, and possible links with terrorist networks operating within the area”, Sani said.
In a related operation, troops stationed at the Cameroon–Nigeria border gate intercepted a Peugeot vehicle transporting six bags of urea fertiliser, a substance commonly used in the fabrication of IEDs.
“Both the vehicle and the fertiliser were immediately taken into military custody”, the statement said.
It added that follow-up intelligence led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer and the recovery of six additional bags, increasing the total number of seized bags to twelve.
“All suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and necessary legal action.
“Troops of JTF NE OPHK continue to dominate their areas of responsibility through aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations, and sustained presence, in order to deny JAS/ISWAP terrorists freedom of action and prevent attacks on civilian populations and critical infrastructure”, he added.
Uba stated that troop morale remains high as military operations continue across the North East in line with the mandate to restore peace and security.
“The military reassures the general public of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urges citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing counter-terrorism operations”, he concluded.
The arrest comes days after a suicide attack was reported on December 24 at Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, where five people were killed and 35 others injured after a bomber detonated an explosive during evening prayers around 6 p.m.
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