Ibrahim Mohammed, a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber, captured by troops of Operation HADIM KAI in collaboration with hunters in Yobe State has revealed chilling details of how he was recruited, paid and deployed to carry out deadly attacks on worshippers in Maiduguri, admitting that he received up to N100,000 for suicide bombing missions.
The suspect, who confessed to involvement in the December 24 suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, said the operation was planned and executed under the directive of Boko Haram commanders operating between Adamawa State and the Mandara Mountains.
During interrogation, Ibrahim was quoted as saying:
“My name is Ibrahim from Michika in Adamawa. We came to Maiduguri to plant bombs in Izala Mosque. We were sent by our leaders, Adamu and Abubakar, who gave us two IEDs to plant in the mosque.
“I was paid money ranging from N70,000 to N100,000 per mission,” he said.
The Gamboru Market Mosque attack claimed five lives and left 32 worshippers injured, plunging Maiduguri town into confusion during the festive period.
Narrating how the attack was executed, Ibrahim said the operatives exploited periods when mosques were empty to plant the explosive devices.
“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.
According to him, the devices were coupled and timed ahead of the Maghrib prayers.
“As Muslim faithful gathered to pray Maghrib, after the first raka’at, we detonated the bomb. We set the timing for five minutes. Shortly after, I ran to the market area,” he said.
Photo: Leadership