Troops Arrest 8 Terrorists Linked to Gamboru Market Mosque Suicide Bombing

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The military has said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested eight suspected terrorists in connection with the suicide bombing at the Gamboru market mosque in Adamawa State.

Among those apprehended, the military said are two key suspects believed to be major facilitators within the network that planned and executed the attack.

The arrests, the Defence Headquarters said followed weeks of sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance on identified locations linked to the terror cell.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed that the suspects were captured during a coordinated cordon-and-search operation carried out in the Yan Lemo area of Mubi South Local Government Area in the early hours of January 5, 2026.

According to him, a thorough search of the suspects’ residence led to the recovery of several items, including cash, mobile phones, identification documents, ATM cards, jewellery, and other personal belongings.

He noted that the recovered items are currently undergoing forensic examination to aid ongoing investigations.

Lieutenant Colonel Uba further revealed that during identification procedures, a suspect already in custody positively identified the two principal suspects as the individuals who supplied materials used in the construction of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) deployed in the mosque attack.

Other occupants of the residence were also found to have direct links to the terrorist network.

“All the suspects are presently in military custody, where they are undergoing detailed interrogation to enable further intelligence extraction before being handed over for continued investigation,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, in a related operation, OPHK troops intercepted a large cache of suspected terrorist logistics in Mayo Nguli, Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

During the operation, troops seized 45 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), amounting to about 1,125 litres, believed to have been illegally transported for terrorist activities.

The statement added that the suspected suppliers fled the scene on sighting the troops, abandoning the petroleum products, which have since been secured and taken into military custody.

No casualties were recorded during the operation.

The military said the successful operations underscore OPHK’s continued determination to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their logistics and supply chains, and prevent future attacks in the North East.

It also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with security agencies, stressing that public support remains vital to sustaining peace and security across the region.