In a significant victory for regional security forces, troops have captured a high-profile bandit leader in Benue State, dealing a critical blow to criminal syndicates terrorizing the volatile border region between Benue and Taraba.
By Martins Abochol
Jalingo, Dec. 22, 2025 (NAN)
Troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari, operating under the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have successfully apprehended a notorious bandit leader in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
In a statement released on Monday, Lt. Umar Muhammad, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the Brigade, hailed the arrest as a “major operational breakthrough.” He confirmed that the individual taken into custody is a key figure responsible for orchestrating multiple kidnapping and armed robbery incidents along the crucial Benue–Taraba axis.
“The arrest was carried out on December 22, 2025, during a precision, intelligence-driven operation at Vaase Community in Ukum LGA,” the statement detailed. “The operation resulted in the arrest of Fidelis Gayama, a high-value suspect long sought by security agencies.”
Deeper Context: The Significance of the Arrest
The capture of a bandit leader is more than a single arrest; it represents a strategic dismantling of a criminal node. These networks often operate with a cell-like structure, where leaders like Gayama coordinate logistics, ransom negotiations, and attacks. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect is closely linked to Aka Dogo, another wanted armed group leader, suggesting the operation may have penetrated a broader alliance. This connection underscores the interlinked nature of criminality in the region, where gangs often collaborate on routes and resources.
The Operational Methodology: Intelligence-Driven Precision
The military’s description of the raid as “intelligence-driven” highlights a critical evolution in counter-insurgency and anti-banditry tactics. Rather than large-scale, sweeping operations, this approach relies on human intelligence (HUMINT) from local communities and technological surveillance to pinpoint high-value targets. This method minimizes collateral damage, builds local trust, and increases the likelihood of capturing key figures instead of merely dispersing them.
The suspect is currently in military custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authority for comprehensive investigation and prosecution under extant laws. This legal pathway is crucial for ensuring that arrests translate into convictions, disrupting criminal enterprises through the justice system rather than just temporary detention.
Brig.-Gen. Kingsley Uwa, Commander of the 6 Brigade, commended the troops for their “professionalism, discipline, and operational precision.” He described the arrest as “a significant blow to criminal networks operating within the area,” acknowledging that removing leadership often creates disarray and power vacuums within such groups, making them temporarily less effective and more vulnerable.
Gen. Uwa reaffirmed the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to sustaining offensive operations to ensure the safety of lives and property. He also issued a crucial appeal to the public, calling on members to “continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing security efforts.” This call to action recognizes that community cooperation is the bedrock of effective intelligence, without which even the best-equipped forces operate at a severe disadvantage.
Looking Ahead: Implications for Regional Security
While this arrest is a clear success, it also presents future challenges. The removal of a leader can lead to violent infighting among subordinates vying for control, or prompt retaliatory attacks. The military’s sustained pressure and commitment to handover for prosecution will be key in consolidating this gain. Furthermore, this event should serve as a model for inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-sharing to replicate success across other troubled axes in Nigeria’s North-Central and North-East regions.
(NAN) (www.nanews.ng)
MK/YMU
Edited by Yakubu Uba
