Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA — Nigerian security forces have reported a significant breakthrough in the fight against armed criminal networks with the capture of notorious terrorist and bandit leader Fidelis Guyama, during an intelligence-driven operation targeting criminals terrorising communities along the Taraba–Benue axis. The arrest, hailed by military officials as a major blow to organised criminality in the region, underscores sustained efforts by the Nigerian Army and partner agencies to disrupt violent networks responsible for kidnappings, armed robbery and attacks on civilians.
The operation, conducted on December 21, 2025, was led by troops from the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari under the command of 6 Brigade, Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS). Acting on precis-intelligence and coordinated planning, the troops apprehended Guyama in Vaase community, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, near the border with Taraba.
Fidelis Guyama has long been on the wanted lists of Nigeria’s security agencies for his alleged role as a ringleader of a criminal network that has attacked travellers, kidnapped civilians for ransom, and inflicted violence on local populations across the Kente-Wukari Road and adjoining border areas of Benue and Taraba states. Authorities have linked him to a string of violent incidents that have disrupted socio-economic life and heightened insecurity along key transit routes in the North-Central and Middle Belt regions.
Preliminary verification at the Beji Police Division in Ukum LGA confirmed that Guyama was among suspects actively pursued by law enforcement for multiple criminal offences. He is believed to have collaborated with other armed leaders, including a figure known as “Dogo,” further entrenching his network’s capacity to orchestrate coordinated attacks and abductions.
Following his capture, Guyama was taken into military custody pending formal handover to appropriate authorities for comprehensive investigation and prosecution under Nigerian law. Security officials emphasised that due process will be followed, with the suspect to face charges that reflect the severity and breadth of his alleged criminal activities.
Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army / Sector 3, OPWS, commended the troops involved for their professionalism, discipline and operational precision. He described the arrest as a significant setback to criminal networks operating in the border corridor and a testament to improved intelligence sharing and tactical coordination in the campaign against terrorism and banditry.
Security analysts say the operation reflects an evolving strategy by the Nigerian military and security agencies to combine human intelligence, local sources, and targeted field operations to dismantle entrenched criminal organisations. The Taraba–Benue axis has been a flashpoint for insecurity, with armed groups exploiting rugged terrain and porous borders to mount kidnappings, ambushes, and extortion schemes that have driven population displacement and stalled economic activity.
The capture of Guyama comes amid a broader nationwide security offensive in which Nigerian forces have intensified pressure on terror and criminal elements across multiple fronts. Recent coordinated actions by the Army have resulted in arrests of suspects, neutralisation of armed groups, and rescue of kidnapped civilians in various parts of the country, signalling a sustained and multi-theatre response to diverse security threats.
In Benue and Taraba states, communities have endured years of insecurity linked to armed gangs, ethnic militia groups, and opportunistic criminal networks. Incidents of kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling and highway ambushes have become recurring challenges, prompting repeated calls from local leaders for robust security interventions. Analysts note these threats often transcend state boundaries, requiring adaptive operations that leverage inter-agency cooperation and regional intelligence partnerships.
Local residents and community leaders welcomed news of Guyama’s capture, expressing hope that it will weaken operational capacities of his network and contribute to improved safety on major roads and rural settlements. Many said the arrest offers a measure of reassurance to travellers, traders and families who have lived under the shadow of violence and extortion.
At the same time, security officials cautioned that while the apprehension of high-profile suspects is a welcome development, it does not mark an end to the broader struggle against criminal networks. They emphasised that sustained community engagement, intelligence support from civilians, and ongoing field operations remain crucial to preventing reprisal attacks and dismantling residual cells that may seek to fill leadership vacuums.
The nation’s security architecture has increasingly focused on strengthening rapid response capabilities and enhancing inter-agency cooperation between the military, police, intelligence services and local vigilance groups. Officials say the capture of figures such as Guyama demonstrates the potential of these collaborative frameworks when backed by credible intelligence and decisive action.
As Guyama awaits formal charges and prosecution, authorities have vowed to maintain momentum in their offensive against terrorism and banditry. The operation is expected to be followed by further investigations that could lead to additional arrests and seizures of weapons, vehicles and other assets linked to his criminal network.
Whether this breakthrough will yield lasting security improvements in the Taraba–Benue corridor depends on continued operational vigilance, expanded intelligence networks, and strengthened community-state trust — components that security experts say are essential to Nigeria’s overarching goal of restoring peace and stability in troubled regions.
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