“I Was Paid N100,000 to Bomb Worshippers,” Confesses Maiduguri Suicide Bomber

A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber, Ibrahim Mohammed, has revealed how he was recruited, paid, and deployed to target worshippers in Maiduguri. Arrested by Operation Hadin Kai troops and local hunters in Yobe State, Ibrahim admitted receiving up to N100,000 per mission.

Ibrahim confessed to his role in the December 24 bombing at Gamboru Market Mosque, which left five people dead and 32 injured. He said the operation was directed by Boko Haram commanders operating between Adamawa State and the Mandara Mountains.

“I am Ibrahim from Michika, Adamawa. We were sent by our leaders, Adamu and Abubakar, with two IEDs to plant in Izala Mosque,” he told interrogators.

He described how the bombers exploited periods when mosques were empty to plant explosives, timing the devices to detonate after Maghrib prayers. Disturbingly, he admitted returning to the scene afterward, posing as a civilian helper to assist with evacuating victims.

Ibrahim said suicide missions have become paid assignments within the terror network. “I was paid between N70,000 and N100,000 per mission,” he said, while expressing remorse for killing innocent civilians.

Security sources linked Ibrahim to a larger Boko Haram cell planning multiple attacks across the North-East, including operations coordinated by Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), Ansaru, and JNIM factions. A team reportedly led by IED expert Munzir Abu Ziyadah had prepared up to ten person-borne explosive attacks.

After the Gamboru attack, Ibrahim traveled to Yobe State for reconnaissance on military and hunters’ positions. He was arrested in Damaturu on December 29 while under suspicion for his presence among a group of Almajirai.

During interrogation, he admitted that while his accomplice carried out the Gamboru attack, he had attempted to plant another device near Izala Mosque but abandoned it due to security checks. Security teams, supported by Explosive Ordnance Disposal units, were deployed to the area, though no device has been recovered.

Authorities have heightened security across the North-East, focusing on mosques, markets, and other vulnerable sites.