Ibrahim Mohammed, a suspected Boko Haram member arrested in connection to the mosque bombing in Maiduguri, Borno state, says he was paid about N100,000 to carry out the attack.
Five people were killed and 32 others injured after a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) inside a mosque in Gamboru market on Christmas eve.
Mohammed, one of the two suspects arrested by troops of the army in connection to the explosion, said he was sent by his leaders whom he identified as Adamu and Abubakar.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency platform, Mohammed said the operation was orchestrated under the directive of Boko Haram commanders operating between Adamawa state and the Mandara mountains.
“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.
After bombing the mosque, Mohammed said he returned to the scene of the explosion, posing as first responder to assist in evacuating the dead and injured.
“When I returned to the mosque, they were evacuating dead bodies. I helped them convey the corpses and injured people in emergency vehicles,” he said.
The suspect said he subsequently moved to Yobe state for other assignments, adding that he was paid between N70,000 and N100,000 for each mission he executes.
“After the mission, I proceeded to Yobe for another assignment, to carry out recce on military positions and hunters’ groups for possible attacks on new recruits,” he said.
“I was paid money ranging from N70,000 to N100,000 per mission.”
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Mohammed said he was part of larger terror cell tasked with multiple attacks across the north-east by factions of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), Ansaru, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).
He was arrested on Monday in Damaturu by local hunters working with Operation Hadin Kai during a raid on a suspected hideout.
Security sources said his unusual presence among a group of Almajiri raised suspicion, leading to his arrest and interrogation.
The suspect also disclosed plans to attack the new Izala Mosque near Tashan Joni, but was unable to execute it due to heightened security.
