The Borno State Police Command has dismissed reports that the Nigerian Army arrested a suspected suicide bomber in the state, describing the claim as misleading. The police maintained that the suspect was apprehended by police operatives and that no active improvised explosive device was found.
Reports had earlier emerged that troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested a suspected suicide bomber, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, in Borno State. The arrest was said to have been carried out by soldiers of the 152 Task Force Battalion in collaboration with other security agencies in Bama Local Government Area.
According to the statement attributed to the Joint Task Force, the operation was described as a major success involving the arrest of a suspected suicide bomber and the interception of materials allegedly meant for the production of improvised explosive devices.
The statement said: “The Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has recorded a significant operational success with the arrest of a suspected suicide bomber and the interception of materials intended for the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Borno State.”
It further stated that the suspect was arrested around Banki town following sustained operations and intelligence-led activities.
“At about 5:40 pm on Monday, December 29, 2025, personnel deployed at the Banki Central Mosque apprehended a suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha,” it added.
The military also claimed the suspect was in possession of materials believed to be parts of a primed IED and was undergoing interrogation to determine his alleged links with terrorist groups.
However, reacting to the claims, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, stated that the suspect was arrested by the police and remains in police custody.
“The same suspect shown in the pictures released by the Army is with us. I personally interviewed him last night. The items recovered from him are not IEDs. It was a police operation,” Daso said.
In a separate statement, the police warned the public against the spread of false information.
“The Borno State Police Command has observed with concern the circulation of social media videos alleging the recovery of improvised explosive device (IED) components in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State,” the statement read.
It explained that on December 29, 2025, at about 6:10 pm, police operatives on surveillance duty around a mosque in Banki intercepted a suspect identified as Abubakar, who was carrying a bag containing electrical wires, old mobile phone batteries, assorted scrap gadgets and pairs of shoes.Police authorities noted that preliminary investigations showed the recovered items did not indicate any active IED construction or preparation.
“The case has been transferred to the State Command Headquarters for comprehensive investigation. The suspect is currently in custody, while investigations are ongoing to ascertain the circumstances and intent surrounding possession of the items,” Daso added.
He urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic and advised reliance on official sources for accurate updates.
