Confession reveals how the Gamboru Mosque Bombing was planned, funded, and executed, exposing terror networks, paid missions, arrests, and new security warnings.
Security agencies in Nigeria’s North-East have recorded a major breakthrough following the arrest and confession of a suspected Boko Haram operative linked to a deadly mosque attack in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The suspect, Ibrahim Mohammed, is accused of playing a direct role in the Gamboru Mosque Bombing, an incident that shocked residents and reignited concerns over the evolving tactics of insurgent groups in the region.
According to information shared by counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama, Ibrahim was arrested on December 29 in Damaturu, Yobe State, during a joint operation involving troops of Operation Hadin Kai and local hunters. The operation targeted a suspected hideout occupied by Almajirai.
Security personnel reportedly became suspicious after noticing Ibrahim’s unusual conduct and inability to convincingly explain his presence, leading to his immediate detention for questioning.
During interrogation, Ibrahim allegedly confessed to his involvement in the Gamboru Mosque Bombing, which occurred on December 24 at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri.
The attack claimed the lives of five worshippers and left dozens injured, many of whom were attending evening prayers.
Investigators said the suspect provided details of how the attack was planned, the individuals who coordinated it, and the payment structure used to motivate operatives.
The suspect told security officials that he was recruited and deployed by Boko Haram commanders operating between Adamawa State and the Mandara Mountains.
He identified two figures, Adamu and Abubakar, as senior coordinators who issued direct orders and supplied improvised explosive devices.
According to his statement, he and an accomplice were instructed to infiltrate mosques under the guise of worshippers and exploit prayer schedules to avoid detection.
Ibrahim explained that the attackers monitored mosque activities closely, choosing moments when the premises were largely empty to plant the explosives.
He claimed they entered the mosque after earlier prayers and pretended to pray while placing the devices.
The explosives were allegedly timed to detonate during Maghrib prayers, a period when worshippers would have gathered in large numbers.
This method, security experts say, reflects a calculated attempt to maximize casualties and public fear, as seen in the Gamboru Mosque Bombing.
In one of the most disturbing revelations, the suspect admitted that after the explosion, he returned to the scene and posed as a civilian volunteer.
By blending in with first responders and community members, he allegedly assisted in evacuating casualties, a tactic investigators say is sometimes used by insurgents to avoid suspicion and gather intelligence on emergency responses.
Ibrahim also disclosed that suicide bombing and related attacks had become paid assignments within the terror group.
He claimed operatives were compensated with amounts ranging from N70,000 to N100,000 per mission, depending on the target and perceived impact.
This financial incentive, according to security analysts, has contributed to the persistence of attacks like the Gamboru Mosque Bombing, particularly among vulnerable individuals facing economic hardship.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect was part of a wider terror cell tasked with coordinating multiple attacks across the North-East.
The network reportedly included elements of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), Ansaru, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).
Security sources indicated that a notorious bomb-maker, identified as Munzir Abu Ziyadah, allegedly supervised the preparation of several person-borne improvised explosive devices from camps along the Ali Ngulde axis.
After the Maiduguri attack, Ibrahim reportedly moved to Yobe State for further assignments.
He claimed he was instructed to conduct reconnaissance on military positions and hunters’ groups, with the aim of planning future assaults on newly recruited security auxiliaries.
He also disclosed that other suicide bombers had been deployed to Damaturu to target mosques and busy marketplaces, raising fresh concerns about coordinated attacks.
In another admission, Ibrahim said he was assigned to carry out an additional operation at a newly built Izala Mosque near Tashan Joni in Maiduguri.
However, he claimed he abandoned his explosive device after failing to gain access due to heightened security checks.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, alongside police explosive ordnance disposal teams, were subsequently deployed to the area he identified.
Although no device was recovered, officials warned that the abandoned bag could pose a risk if picked up by an unsuspecting individual.
Security authorities say the confession has provided valuable intelligence that could help dismantle remaining cells connected to the Gamboru Mosque Bombing.
They reiterated their commitment to strengthening community surveillance, working with local hunters, and improving intelligence sharing to prevent future attacks.
Residents have also been urged to report suspicious movements and objects, as vigilance remains critical in the fight against insurgency.
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