Conflicting accounts from Nigeria's leading security agencies have created a cloud of uncertainty over a recent arrest in Borno State. The Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force have presented starkly different narratives regarding the detention of a man suspected of terrorism links in Banki town.
Military Reports Interception of IED Materials
According to a statement released on December 30, 2025, by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, spokesman for the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, troops arrested a suspect with materials meant for building bombs. The military identified the man as Abubakar Mustapha from Bama Local Government Area.
The arrest was said to have occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, near the Banki Central Mosque. The Army's statement was definitive, claiming the suspect was found with primed Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components, suggesting plans for an imminent attack. The suspect was reportedly taken into custody by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion working with other agencies.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect hails from Bama Local Government Area and was found with additional incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities," the military's statement read. They added that he was undergoing detailed interrogation to uncover potential sponsors and collaborators.
Police Counterclaim: Only Scrap Items Found
In a swift rebuttal hours later, the Borno State Police Command challenged the Army's version of events. The police statement, signed by spokesman ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, aimed to clarify the arrest and caution against misinformation.
The police confirmed arresting an individual named Abubakar around 6:10 p.m. on the same day in the same general area of Banki LGA. However, they described the recovered items very differently.
According to the police, the suspect's bag contained electrical wires, old mobile phone batteries, assorted gadget scrap materials, and pairs of shoes. Their preliminary investigation concluded that these items did not show any active IED fabrication or priming.
The case has been transferred to the state command headquarters for a comprehensive investigation, and the suspect remains in custody. The police command strongly warned the public against spreading unverified information that could cause panic, urging reliance on official sources for updates.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Security Context
This public disagreement between two critical security institutions unfolds against a tense backdrop in Borno State. The federal government, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, recently condemned a separate bomb explosion at a mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, which killed about five people and injured several others.
In response to that attack, the government ordered an immediate intensification of security operations across the state. The conflicting reports from Banki highlight the challenges of information management and inter-agency coordination even as security forces ramp up their efforts.
Both agencies have reassured the public of their commitment to safety, with the police promising to communicate further details as their investigation progresses. The core facts—the arrest of Abubakar in Banki on December 29—are not in dispute. The fundamental disagreement lies in the interpretation of the evidence recovered and the implied threat level, leaving the public awaiting a conclusive finding from the ongoing probe.
