Fulani Militia leader linked to Christian killings arrested in Plateau

Mahmoud Adam, a suspected militant allegedly linked to deadly attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, has reportedly been arrested in Plateau State.

The arrest was disclosed in an exclusive report published on Friday by the US-based Daily Caller, which identified Adam as an alleged secret leader of the Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) operating in Plateau State and surrounding parts of the Middle Belt.

According to the report, Adam was arrested in the early hours of September 12 at his compound in Plateau State, where he was known as a prominent Fulani community leader.

A former US intelligence officer with expertise in Islamist terrorism reportedly confirmed Adam’s alleged role in FEM, while Nigerian journalist Masara Kim of Truth Nigeria was also cited as having reported evidence allegedly linking him to deadly attacks in Plateau State.

The Daily Caller said information from a whistleblower indicated that Adam had previously established contacts with senior Nigerian military figures and had allegedly received high-value gifts from military officers.

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The report also alleged that a serving senator had intervened in 2024 to secure Adam’s release following an earlier arrest.

The senator, Shehu Buba, has previously denied allegations of links to criminal networks. Separate reports said photographs showing Buba and Adam together have emerged, prompting calls for further investigation.

The Daily Caller reported that Adam was previously released from custody several days after his 2024 arrest following the alleged intervention.

Photographs cited by the publication reportedly show Adam meeting a Nigerian major general in 2023. According to the account accompanying the photographs, the military officer handed over five motorcycles to Adam and associates as part of efforts described as aimed at restoring peace in Plateau State.

The latest arrest comes amid renewed security concerns in Plateau State, where several communities have experienced deadly attacks in recent weeks. Local reports have linked some of the violence to armed groups, although attribution for individual attacks remains subject to confirmation by security authorities.

Reports of Adam’s arrest have also generated reactions in the United States. US Representative Riley Moore welcomed the reported arrest, describing it as evidence of increased US-Nigeria security cooperation, while the circumstances surrounding the allegations against Adam remain subject to official investigation and clarification.

As of the latest reports, the Nigerian security agencies had not publicly released a detailed statement outlining the charges against Adam or the evidence being relied upon in the investigation.