A suspected suicide bomber, identified as Ibrahim Mohammed, has confessed to his role in the December 24 mosque bombing in Maiduguri and told security operatives he was paid for the missions, security sources said on Monday.
Ibrahim, who was arrested by troops of Operation HADIN KAI working with local hunters in Yobe State, gave a detailed account of how he and accomplices were recruited, armed and deployed to plant explosives in worship centres, according to counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama.
The suspect admitted involvement in the attack that struck the Gamboru Market Mosque, an incident that left five worshippers dead and 32 others injured, plunging Maiduguri into confusion during the festive period.
Quoting Ibrahim during interrogation, Zagazola reported: “My name is Ibrahim from Michika in Adamawa. We came to Maiduguri to plant bombs in Izala Mosque. We were sent by our leaders, Adamu and Abubakar, who gave us two IEDs to plant in the mosque.”
He told interrogators that suicide bombing had become a remunerated task within the network.
“I was paid money ranging from N70,000 to N100,000 per mission,” the suspect said.
Ibrahim described the method used by the cell, saying operatives exploited times when mosques were largely empty to conceal and position the devices.
“We came after Zuhur and Asr prayers when the mosque was empty. We entered pretending to pray. My colleague was digging to plant the IED in the middle of the mosque while I was digging by the side,” he said.
According to the suspect, the explosives were coupled and timed to detonate as worshippers returned for Maghrib.
“As Muslim faithful gathered to pray Maghrib, after the first raka’at, we detonated the bomb. We set the timing for five minutes. Shortly after, I ran to the market area,” Ibrahim told investigators.
Troops who captured the suspect said investigations are ongoing as they work to map the network behind the attack and identify other collaborators.
Authorities also reiterated calls for vigilance and community cooperation as security agencies intensify efforts to prevent further strikes.