By Ado Oyeyemi
A suspected leader of an alleged Fulani militia operating in Plateau State and parts of the Middle Belt, Mahmoud Adam, has reportedly been arrested by Nigerian security agencies.
The Daily Caller, a United States-based news platform, reported on Friday that Adam was arrested during an operation at his compound in Plateau State in the early hours of September 12.
According to the report, Adam, who is described as a prominent Fulani community leader in the state, was identified by a former United States intelligence officer specialising in Islamist terrorism as the alleged secret head of the Fulani Ethnic Militia in Plateau and neighbouring Middle Belt states.
The report also cited Nigerian journalist Masara Kim of Truth Nigeria, who reportedly said there was evidence linking Adam to deadly attacks in Plateau State.
Kim was quoted as saying that Adam’s arrest followed mounting evidence, including alleged confessions obtained from suspected terrorists detained by security agencies.
The Daily Caller further reported that Adam had previously been arrested, but was released days later following an intervention allegedly made by Senator Shehu Buba.
The US publication said a whistleblower claimed to have witnessed a 2024 telephone call in which the senator, who was then chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, allegedly asked military authorities to release Adam.
It also reported that photographs supplied by the whistleblower showed Adam meeting Nigerian military officials and receiving gifts, including motorcycles, from a senior military officer in 2023.
The circumstances surrounding those meetings and the purpose of the items were not independently established in the report.
Senator Buba has faced allegations of links to banditry and other criminal activities but has denied the accusations, according to the report.
The Daily Caller said he did not respond to its request for comment on the allegations concerning Adam.
The Nigerian military and Abdullahi Yusuf, identified in the report as Adam’s senior adviser, also reportedly did not respond to requests for comment.
The arrest comes amid renewed security concerns in Plateau State, where several communities have experienced attacks and killings in recent weeks.
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However, the allegations against Adam and the claims concerning his alleged role in attacks remain matters for investigation and judicial determination.
