Troops Foil Terror Plot in Borno, Arrest Suspected Suicide Bomber

Troops Foil Terror Plot in Borno, Arrest Suspected Suicide Bomber

The Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has arrested a suspected suicide bomber and recovered materials used in the making of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during a security operation in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

The arrest followed sustained joint operations based on credible intelligence by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, working in collaboration with other security agencies to secure Banki and four other border communities along the Cameroon frontier.

Disclosing the development in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Tuesday, the OPHK Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the suspect was apprehended on Monday, December 29, 2025, at about 5:40 p.m. by troops deployed at the Banki Central Mosque.

According to him, the suspect was identified as Abubakar Mustapha and was found in possession of primed IED components, suggesting an imminent plan to carry out an attack on Banki, Kumshe, Darajamal, and Kirawa communities in Gwoza Local Government Area.

Lt Col Uba added that preliminary investigations revealed the suspect is from the Bama Local Government Area and was also in possession of other incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities in border communities with Cameroon.

He said the suspect is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to uncover his sponsors, collaborators, and possible links with terrorist networks operating across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

In a related operation, troops deployed along the Nigeria-Cameroon border intercepted a Peugeot vehicle carrying six bags of urea fertiliser, a substance commonly used in the production of IEDs. The vehicle and the seized items were taken into military custody.

Further intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer and the recovery of an additional six bags of urea, bringing the total seized to 12 bags. All suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and appropriate legal action.

Lt Col Uba explained that the ongoing counter-terrorism operations are aimed at denying Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements freedom of action in the Lake Chad region, Sambisa Forest, and other affected areas of the North-East.

He assured that the morale and operational efficiency of troops remain high as efforts continue to restore lasting peace and security across the region.