Jubilation as Notorious Bandit Leader Gayama Arrested in Benue, Photo Emerges
- Troops of the Nigerian army’s 6 Brigade, operating under Sector III of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested a notorious bandit leader linked to multiple cases of kidnapping and armed robbery along the Benue–Taraba axis
- Preliminary investigations, as made known by the Brigade through its acting spokesperson, Lt. Unar Muhammad, revealed that Gayama is closely associated with Aka Dogo, a wanted leader of an armed criminal group
- Security sources also disclosed that personnel of the Nigeria Police Force at the Vaase Outpost confirmed that the suspect was among those declared wanted by the Beji Police Division in Ukum local government area
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering security matters and counter-insurgency in Nigeria and Africa.
Makurdi, Benue State - Troops from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari, under the 6 Brigade Nigerian army’s Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested a notorious bandit leader accused of multiple kidnappings and armed robberies along the Benue–Taraba axis.
As reported by Channels TV, the arrest was carried out on Sunday, December 21, during an operation at Vaase Community, Ukum local government area (LGA) of Benue State.
Source: Original
Army arrests notorious Benue bandit
TVC News also noted the now-trending development.
In a statement released on Monday, December 22, Lieutenant Muhammad Umar, the spokesman for the 6 Brigade, disclosed that the operation led to the arrest of Fidelis Gayama, a” high-value” suspect who had long been wanted by security agents.
Umar said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is closely linked to Aka Dogo, a wanted armed group leader, and is believed to be the ringleader of a criminal network that has terrorised travellers and communities along the Kente-Wukari Road and adjoining border areas between Benue and Taraba States.
Further validation by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) at the Vaase Outpost confirmed that the suspect is among individuals declared wanted by the Beji police division, Ukum LGA of Benue State.
Source: Twitter
The statement said:
“The suspect is currently in military custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authority for comprehensive investigation and prosecution in line with extant laws."
Gayama's purported photo can be viewed below:
Ceaseless violence engulfs northern Nigeria
Legit.ng reports that violence has increased in the northcentral region in recent years as population growth leads to an expansion of the area dedicated to farming, leaving less land available for open grazing by nomads’ cattle herds.
Conflicts have often spiralled into broader criminality and tit-for-tat revenge attacks between informal armed groups established to protect rival communities.
The northern region is one of the hottest beds of violence in Nigeria, with its states experiencing a toxic mix of armed attacks, kidnappings and banditry in recent years. The army has also been grappling with a long-running battle with the Boko Haram armed group in the northeast for more than a decade.
Read more on Nigeria's security challenges:
- Young POS operator hacked with machete in Adamawa; family speaks out on attack, demands answers
- Bandit attacks: Northern governors take action over rising insecurity
Tinubu speaks out on terrorism financiers
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu vowed that his administration "will go after" terrorism financiers, bandits, and foreign-linked mercenaries.
Tinubu made this vow while presenting the 2026 budget to a joint session of federal lawmakers at the National Assembly.
The Nigerian leader promised that his administration would defeat banditry and terrorism.
Source: Legit.ng
