“They Paid Me ₦100,000 to Kill Worshippers,” Confesses Captured Bomber

A suspected Boko Haram operative arrested by troops of Operation Hadin Kai with the support of local hunters in Yobe State has confessed that he was paid up to ₦100,000 to carry out suicide bombing attacks on worshippers in Maiduguri.

 The suspect, identified as Ibrahim Mohammed, admitted involvement in the December 24 bombing at Gamboru Market Mosque which killed five people and injured dozens during the festive period.

During interrogation, Ibrahim said he and another operative were dispatched from the Mandara Mountains axis on the orders of insurgent commanders operating between Adamawa State and Cameroon.

According to him, the team was tasked with planting improvised explosive devices inside mosques including an Izala mosque in Maiduguri, after receiving explosives and instructions from their handlers.

He explained that the attackers took advantage of moments when mosques were largely empty, posing as worshippers to plant the devices.

 Ibrahim further revealed that after the Gamboru explosion, he returned to the scene pretending to be a civilian and assisted in evacuating victims, a move he said later deepened his regret over the attack.

He claimed suicide missions had become routine paid assignments within the terror group, with payments ranging from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000 per operation.

Security sources said Ibrahim later moved to Yobe State to conduct reconnaissance for further attacks before he was arrested on December 29 in Damaturu, after hunters became suspicious of his movements at a hideout.

He also disclosed that he abandoned another explosive device near an Izala mosque in Maiduguri after failing to bypass security checks, prompting a search by security agencies, though no device has been recovered.

Authorities said the confession has exposed plans for wider coordinated attacks across parts of the North-East, prompting heightened security around mosques, markets and other soft targets.

Troops and intelligence units have been placed on alert as investigations continue into the terror network’s recruitment, funding and operational strategies.