A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber, Ibrahim Mohammed, arrested by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with local hunters in Yobe State, has disclosed details of how the terror group recruits, deploys and pays operatives for bombing missions, revealing that attackers receive between ₦70,000 and ₦100,000 per operation.
Ibrahim, who confessed to his role in the December 24 bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri, said the attack was carried out on the orders of Boko Haram commanders operating between Adamawa State and the Mandara Mountains.
According to him, the mission was coordinated by two commanders identified as Adamu and Abubakar, who allegedly supplied the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used in the attack.
“My name is Ibrahim from Michika in Adamawa. We came to Maiduguri to plant bombs in an Izala mosque. We were sent by our leaders, Adamu and Abubakar, who gave us two IEDs to plant in the mosque,” he reportedly said during interrogation.
The suspect revealed that suicide bombing has become a paid assignment within the insurgent group, with operatives compensated after each mission.
“I was paid money ranging from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000 per mission,” he said.
The Gamboru Market Mosque attack, which occurred during the Christmas festive period, claimed the lives of five worshippers and left 32 others injured, throwing Maiduguri into panic and confusion.
Recounting how the attack was carried out, Ibrahim said the attackers took advantage of periods when the mosque was largely 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.
He added that the devices were timed to detonate during the Maghrib prayers, when worshippers had gathered.
“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 disclosed.
Security authorities say investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to dismantle Boko Haram cells and prevent further attacks in the North-East.