Police, military disagree over arrest of suicide bomber

The police and the army have issued conflicting accounts over the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials in Banki town in Bama LGA of Borno State.

Both security agencies confirmed the arrest of a suspect identified as Abubakar, but disagreed on the nature of the items recovered and the suspect’s alleged intentions.

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

He said the arrest followed sustained joint operations and credible intelligence gathering by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion in collaboration with other security agencies.

Uba explained that at about 6pm on Monday, December 29, 2025, personnel deployed at the Banki Central Mosque apprehended a suspect identified as Abubakar Mustapha.

He said, “The suspect was found in possession of primed IED components, indicating imminent intent to carry out an attack.”

He added that preliminary investigation revealed the suspect hailed from Bama LGA and was also found with additional incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities.

He added that, “The suspect is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to identify his sponsors, collaborators and possible links with terrorist networks operating in the area.”

However, hours later, the Borno State Police Command issued a counter-statement cautioning against misinformation regarding the incident.

In the statement, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, said operatives of the command arrested a suspect around a mosque in Banki at about 6pm on December 29, 2025.

According to the police, the suspect was found with a bag containing electrical wires, old mobile phone batteries, assorted scrap gadgets and pairs of shoes.

“Preliminary investigations indicated that the items recovered showed no active IED fabrication or priming,” the statement read in part.

The police added that the case had been transferred to the state command for comprehensive investigation, while cautioning the public against spreading unverified information capable of causing fear or panic.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to public safety and urged residents to remain vigilant.

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