Unmasking The Bandits In Taraba, Benue Axis
By Mustapha Mohammed Gembu
For years, criminal activities across Taraba State have been widely attributed to Fulani herders. However, recent arrests and intelligence-led operations have begun to reveal a different and more complex reality. Emerging evidence indicates that several key perpetrators of banditry and arms trafficking in the Taraba–Benue axis are not Fulani, but individuals who had long operated behind false narratives.
crimes has been the rapid use of traditional media, social media platforms, and even some clerical voices to frame incidents in a way that demonizes the entire fulani race
This pattern has contributed to misinformation, deepened communal tensions, and obscured the identities of the actual offenders. Recent security breakthroughs have now helped unmask some of those responsible.
Below are few of the recently apprehended notorious bandits, Kidnappers, and gunrunners with armoury in the state :
- Fidelis Gayama (also spelled Guyama)
A notorious bandit leader linked to multiple kidnappings, armed robberies, and terror attacks along the Benue–Taraba axis, particularly the Kente–Wukari Road and surrounding border communities.
Arrest Date: 21–22 December 2025
Location: Vaase Community, Ukum LGA,
Benue State (near the Taraba border)
Arresting Authority: Troops of FOB Wukari, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, under Operation Whirl Stroke
- Christopher Adamu (aka “Suffer”), age 48
Identified as a suspected gun-runner involved in illegal arms trafficking within Taraba State.
Arrest Date: 11 January 2026
Location: Sebos Joint, Mayo Dasa area, Jalingo LGA
Findings: Personal identification items and charms recovered
Revelations: Confessed to working with an accomplice known as “Chmn” and to selling an AK-47 rifle in November 2025
- “Chmn”
An alleged accomplice named during interrogation by Christopher Adamu.
Origin: Shomo Gari, Karim Lamido LGA
Status: Under investigation - James Yangyang
An alleged associate in the arms-trafficking network uncovered during the Adamu operation.
Arrest Date: 11 January 2026
Location: Tautre Village, Ardo Kola LGA, Taraba State
- Bazoe John
Named during investigations as a recipient of an illegally trafficked AK-47 rifle sold in November 2025.
Location: Murbai Village, Ardo Kola LGA
Status: Identified as part of the supply chain;
- John Gata (also known as John Ngata) and Wife — Hidden Arms Cache Case
Linked to a major concealed arms cache discovered in Takum LGA.
Operation Details: The wife was arrested at a military checkpoint and led troops to a hidden armoury in Amadu Village
Arms Recovered:
13 AK-47 rifles
38 magazines
690 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
4 hand grenades
While the mainstream media, social media platforms, and sermons from some pastors attribute criminal activities to Fulani pastoralists in the state, the reality is that people from all tribal backgrounds and religious affiliations are involved in the perpetration of criminal acts. If the few exposed above are not Fulani, only God knows how many non-Fulani criminals are hiding in the bushes and forests of Taraba State and the country at large, orchestrating crimes while the Fulani continue to be subjected to media stereotypes and dehumanisation.
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