Nigerian troops have arrested two suspects in connection with a bomb attack that killed five people and injured 32 others at a mosque in Gamboru market, Maiduguri, Borno State, a counter-insurgency publication reported.
Zagazola Makama, which monitors security developments in the Lake Chad region, said the attack was allegedly coordinated by Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), Ansaru and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).
Quoting intelligence sources, the publication said a Boko Haram cell led by Munzir Abu Ziyadah prepared multiple person-borne improvised explosive device attacks from the Ali Ngulde camp area, with fighters moving through the Ngoshe Mountains to infiltrate communities ahead of the assault.
Makama said troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested one suspect in Banki, Borno State, with primed IED materials, while a second suspect, identified as Ibrahim, was arrested in Damaturu, Yobe State, and taken to Maiduguri for questioning.
“However, the bag was not found at the indicated location,” Makama quoted a source as saying after Ibrahim led troops to a site where he claimed to have abandoned an explosive device.
The suspect later confessed to planting a bomb at the mosque entrance, while his accomplice, identified as Adamu and now deceased, detonated a suicide vest inside the worship centre, the report said.
Makama added that security operatives also intercepted a vehicle carrying urea fertiliser near the Cameroon–Nigeria border, arrested the driver and dealer, and recovered additional materials used in making explosive devices.
