Crime
PHOTOS: Military unmasks ringleader of North-East suicide bombings
The Nigerian military has identified one Shariff Umar as the suspected principal coordinator of a suicide bombing network linked to recent deadly attacks, including the December 24 bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, and attempted strikes across the North-East.
This follows intelligence-led operations by troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK)
The breakthrough came after a series of cordon-and-search operations conducted in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025, during which 14 suspects believed to be connected to suicide bombing activities were arrested.
The development was disclosed in a statement on Saturday in Maiduguri by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, who said investigations had uncovered the structure and operational linkages of the terror cell, according to Vanguard.
On the identification of Umar, the statement said, “This development followed intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations conducted at the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on 31st December 2025, during which 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing activities were arrested. Subsequent detailed identification and investigative processes established the structure, roles, and operational linkages of the terror cell.”
According to the military, a detained suspected suicide bomber, Ibrahim Muhammad, provided crucial information during interrogation, directly implicating Shariff Umar, also known as Yusuf, as the ringleader of the network.
“During the investigation, a suspected suicide bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, unequivocally identified Shariff Umar (also known as ‘Yusuf’) as the ringleader and coordinator of the terror network,” the statement said.
Lt. Col. Uba explained that Umar was responsible for recruiting, preparing and deploying suicide bombers, as well as coordinating logistics and the delivery of improvised explosive device components.
“According to consistent and corroborated statements, Shariff Umar was responsible for recruiting, preparing, directing, and dispatching suicide bombers to assigned targets, as well as coordinating logistics and delivery of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components.
“Investigations further revealed that Shariff Umar directly coordinated the suicide bombing attack at the Gamboru Market Mosque on 24 December 2025, during which his accomplice, Adamu (now deceased), detonated a suicide vest,” the statement said.
He was also accused of organising a foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, Yobe State.
“He was also identified as the coordinator of the foiled suicide bombing attempt in Damaturu, personally handing over IED components to the suicide bomber in Maiduguri,” the statement said.
The military said further links within the network were uncovered, including the alleged involvement of Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, and corroboration from his stepdaughter, Amina.
The statement added, “Additional links within the network were established, including the involvement of Shariff Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, and the confirmation by his stepdaughter, Amina, who admitted to previously seeing the suspect bomber within their residence.”
All suspects remain in custody and are undergoing intensive investigations aimed at dismantling the network and recovering any remaining explosives.
“All suspects remain firmly in custody and are undergoing intensive, multi-layered investigations aimed at fully dismantling the network, identifying additional collaborators, and recovering any remaining explosives or logistical assets,” the statement also said.
The military also called on residents to support security efforts by providing timely information.
Uba said, “OPHK underscores that this success once again highlights the critical importance of effective collaboration between security forces and the civil populace. Terrorist networks often survive by hiding within communities, exploiting silence, fear, or misplaced loyalty.
“Timely information from law-abiding citizens remains one of the most powerful tools in preventing attacks and saving innocent lives.”
Suspected Suicide bomber Ibrahim Muhammad. Photo credit: Isah Ojo
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Crime
PHOTOS: Nigerian man sentenced to d3ath in Malaysia for m8rder of his 4-year-old step-grandson
A Nigerian man has been sentenced to d3ath after being convicted of m8rdering his four-year-old step-grandson in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
LIB reported that Ibekwe Emeka Augustine threw the child from the third floor of an apartment building on Sunday, November 29, 2020 after he failed to rape his stepdaughter, who is the victim’s mother. Read other reports HERE and HERE
High Court judge K. Muniandy sentenced Ibekwe, 48, to d3ath on Friday, January 9, 2025 after finding him guilty of m8rder, ruling that the prosecution had proven the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
“You are sentenced to death by hanging until you are d3ad. However, you have the right to appeal against the sentence at the Court of Appeal,” the judge said.
Moments before the sentence was passed, Augustine, handcuffed and dressed in a white T-shirt and black trousers, pleaded for leniency.
“I regret everything that happened, and it will not happen again. I remember going swimming and playing football with him. Please have mercy on me. Everything is in your hands,” he said.
Augustine appeared solemn as he was led out of the courtroom. An interpreter was present throughout the proceedings.
He was charged in 2020 with m8rdering the boy between 7.45am and 8.15am at an apartment unit in Setapak on Nov 29, 2020, which carries the d3ath penalty or a jail term between 30 and 40 years upon conviction.
In addition to the m8rder conviction, Augustine was sentenced to one year for one count of attempted suicide, five years for s3xually assaulting his then 25-year-old stepdaughter, five years for attempted m8rder of his son, then aged 7; and 14 years for causing grievous hurt to his wife, then 48, who suffered a broken hip.
Muniandy ordered that all jail sentences run concurrently, which is 14-years, from Augustine’s arrest on Nov 29, 2020.
“All these inhumane and despicable acts of the accused could have been stopped as the accused’s wife attempted to do so, but the accused persisted even after grievously injuring her.
“The victims were all traumatised by the entire incident and had to run away from the home before anything more dreadful was inflicted on them.
“Then they found the grandchild dead on the ground as he was thrown away mercilessly by the accused, who then attempted suicide.
“Such conduct cannot be excused on the grounds of self-intoxication with drugs or his attempt to end his own life,” he said.
In mitigation, defence counsel Zulkifli Awang argued that his client should be spared the death penalty, saying the murder was not premeditated and that his client was not a hardened criminal incapable of rehabilitation.
“The facts show that his actions were due to schizophrenia and that he was of unsound mind, although the court had ruled that self-intoxication is not a defence.
“But I want to stress that what occurred was due to his insanity, due to drug consumption.
“He has been in remand since his arrest, and he is repentant. Imprisonment would be a more appropriate sentence. It is not necessary to take another life,” he said.
Deputy public prosecutor Zaileen Nadia Zubir urged the court to impose the death penalty, stating that Augustine had admitted to committing the acts due to prolonged consumption of drugs and not schizophrenia.
“He dangled the child by the leg outside the window before throwing him out, an act witnessed by the boy’s mother.
“He had admitted that it happened because of drugs and not because of schizophrenia, and he heard voices.
“He knew his actions were wrong and apologised,” she said.
The trial began in January 2024 and concluded in December the same year, with testimony from 22 prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses, who were Augustine himself and consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Ian Lloyd Anthony.
After the proceedings, Zulkifli said a notice of appeal against the d3ath sentence would be filed.
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