Nigeria’s counterterrorism campaign recorded a fresh breakthrough after troops arrested a man believed to be directly connected to the recent mosque bombing in Borno, a development security officials say may have averted another mass-casualty attack.
Military sources described the arrest as intelligence-driven, noting that the suspect was intercepted while allegedly moving with materials associated with suicide bombing operations.
Moreover, officers said the operation reflects renewed pressure on terror cells targeting religious and civilian locations.
The arrest was carried out on Monday night during a security sweep around a mosque in Banki town, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, following the deadly explosion at a mosque in Maiduguri days earlier.
The suspect was taken into custody by troops operating under the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai.
According to the military, the suspect, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, was found with components believed to be primed for the production of an improvised explosive device.
A senior officer said the items recovered suggested “clear preparation for an imminent attack.”
Further investigations revealed that the suspect is from Bama Local Government Area and is currently cooperating with interrogators to expose possible sponsors and collaborators.
“The focus is not just on the individual arrested but on dismantling the entire network behind the plot,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, troops operating along the Nigeria–Cameroon border intercepted a vehicle transporting multiple bags of urea fertiliser, a substance commonly diverted for bomb-making.
The interception, according to the army, led to the arrest of a fertiliser dealer and the seizure of additional supplies linked to the same network.
The military said sustained patrols and intelligence-led operations remain ongoing across Borno to prevent further attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP factions.
Furthermore, authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing actionable information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to restoring lasting security in the North East.