Police, Army Disagree Over IED Materials Recovered From Suspect in Borno

Police, Army Disagree Over IED Materials Recovered From Suspect in Borno

The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army have issued conflicting accounts over items allegedly recovered from a suspect arrested in Banki town, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, raising public concern over the true nature of the incident.

Both security agencies confirmed the arrest of the suspect, identified as Abubakar, and said preliminary investigations were carried out. However, while the Nigerian Army described the suspect as a would-be suicide bomber in possession of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials, the Borno State Police Command dismissed the claim and cautioned against misinformation.

In a statement dated December 30, 2025, the spokesman of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lt-Col. Sani Uba, said troops had apprehended a suspected suicide bomber and intercepted primed IED components.

According to the statement, the arrest followed sustained joint security operations and intelligence-led efforts to secure Banki town by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, working alongside other security agencies.

Lt-Col. Uba said the suspect, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, was arrested at about 5:40 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, near the Banki Central Mosque, and was allegedly found in possession of materials indicating an imminent terrorist attack.

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“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect hails from Bama Local Government Area and was further discovered to be in possession of additional incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities,” the statement said, adding that the suspect was undergoing further interrogation to uncover possible terrorist links and sponsors.

However, hours later, the Borno State Police Command released a counter-statement through its spokesman, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, titled ‘Borno Police Command clarifies arrest of suspect over alleged IED materials in Banki LGA, cautions against misinformation’.

The police said it had observed the circulation of social media videos alleging the recovery of IED components and sought to clarify the situation.

According to the police, operatives on surveillance duty around a mosque in Banki LGA at about 6:10 p.m. on December 29, 2025, arrested Abubakar with a bag containing electrical wires, old mobile phone batteries, assorted gadget scrap materials, and pairs of shoes.

The Command stressed that preliminary findings showed no evidence of active IED fabrication or priming, contrary to claims circulating online.

The police added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation, while the suspect remains in custody.

The Command warned the public against spreading unverified information capable of causing panic, urging residents to rely on official and credible sources for accurate updates, and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property in the state.

Police, Army Disagree Over IED Materials Recovered From Suspect in Borno