Police, military disagree over arrest of suspected suicide bomber in Borno

The police and the Nigerian Army have issued conflicting accounts over items allegedly recovered from a suspect arrested in Banki town, Bama Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.

Both institutions confirmed the arrest of the suspect, identified as Abubakar, and said preliminary investigations were conducted.

However, while the military claimed it apprehended a suspected suicide bomber and recovered materials for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the police cautioned against what it described as misinformation.

In a statement dated December 30, 2025, the spokesman of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lt-Col. Sani Uba, said troops had arrested a suspected suicide bomber and intercepted materials intended for the manufacture of IEDs.

According to the statement, the arrest followed sustained joint operations and credible intelligence gathering aimed at securing Banki town in Bama Local Government Area, conducted by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion in collaboration with other security agencies.

Lt-Col. Uba said that at about 5:40 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, personnel deployed at the Banki Central Mosque apprehended a suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha.

He added that the suspect was found in possession of primed IED components, suggesting an imminent intent to carry out 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,” the statement said.

“He is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to establish his sponsors, collaborators, and possible links with terrorist networks operating within the area.”

However, hours later, the police issued a counter-statement through its spokesman, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, titled ‘Borno Police Command clarifies arrest of suspect over alleged IED materials in Banki LGA, cautions against misinformation.’

The statement said the Borno State Police Command had observed with concern the circulation of social media videos alleging the recovery of IED components in Banki Local Government Area.

“To set the record straight, on December 29, 2025, at about 6:10 p.m., operatives of the Command, while on surveillance around a mosque in Banki LGA, accosted one Abubakar in possession of a bag containing electrical wires, old mobile phone batteries, assorted gadget scrap materials, and pairs of shoes,” the statement read.

The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the items recovered showed “no active IED fabrication or priming.”

According to the statement, the case has been transferred to the state command headquarters for comprehensive investigation. The suspect remains in custody while investigations continue to ascertain the circumstances and intent surrounding possession of the items.

The Command cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information capable of causing fear or panic, urging reliance on credible and official sources for accurate information.

It added that further updates would be provided as investigations progress, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and calling on residents to remain vigilant.

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