Troops attached to the Forward Operating Base in Wukari, operating under the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, have apprehended a notorious bandit leader believed to be behind numerous kidnapping and armed robbery attacks along the Benue–Taraba corridor.
The suspect was arrested on December 21 during a carefully planned, intelligence-driven mission carried out at Vaase Community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
In a statement issued on Monday, the spokesperson of the 6 Brigade, Lieutenant Muhammad Umar, confirmed that the operation resulted in the arrest of Fidelis Gayama, described as a “high-value” suspect who had been on the radar of security agencies for a long time.
Umar explained that preliminary findings indicated that the arrested suspect has strong operational links to Dogo, a wanted armed group leader, and is believed to be the head of a criminal syndicate that has unleashed terror on commuters and local communities along the Kente–Wukari Road and surrounding border areas between Benue and Taraba States.
He added that further checks conducted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force stationed at the Vaase Outpost corroborated that the suspect was among individuals officially declared wanted by the Beji Police Division in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
“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,” the statement said.
Commending the soldiers involved in the operation, the Commander of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised their professionalism, discipline and tactical precision, describing the arrest as a major setback for criminal elements operating in the area.
He reaffirmed the Brigade’s determination to sustain aggressive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and safeguarding lives and property, while also urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.
What you should know
The arrest of Fidelis Gayama represents a significant development in ongoing military efforts to curb banditry and violent crime along the Benue–Taraba axis, a region that has witnessed repeated attacks on travellers and rural communities.
Intelligence-led operations have become central to recent security gains, enabling troops to target key figures within criminal networks rather than reacting after attacks occur.
By removing alleged ringleaders and collaborators, security forces aim to weaken organised armed groups, restore confidence among residents, and improve safety along major transport routes linking Benue and Taraba States.
