US Congressman Hails Reported Arrest of Plateau Fulani Leader; Nigeria Yet to Confirm

US Republican Congressman Riley Moore has welcomed the reported arrest of Mahmoud Adam, a Plateau State figure he described as a "radical Islamic Fulani terrorist leader" responsible for the killings of "countless Christians."

In a post on X on Saturday, Moore said the arrest was "proof that the US-Nigeria Security Cooperation agreement is bearing fruit."

He credited the Nigerian government and said Congress and the Trump administration's efforts to defend Christians were "making a positive difference."

The arrest was first reported by the Daily Caller on 2 October. It says Adam was detained in the early hours of 12 September at his compound in Plateau State, where he is a prominent Fulani community leader.

The outlet describes him as the alleged secret leader of a Fulani ethnic militia, and cites a whistleblower and a former US intelligence officer who confirmed the arrest.

Nigerian outlets relaying the story have used cautious language such as "reported" and "alleged." One report notes that the circumstances of the arrest and the allegations remain subject to official clarification.

A search of Nigerian security reporting turned up no statement from the military's Operation Enduring Peace, the DSS or the Plateau State government confirming Adam's arrest, any charges, or where he is held.

The Daily Caller report also makes separate, unverified allegations. It says photographs supplied by a whistleblower show Adam meeting senior military officers and receiving high-value gifts.

It also says a whistleblower claims a serving senator called military authorities in 2024 to demand Adam's release after an earlier arrest, and that he was freed days later. The Senator named is Shehu Buba, according to the report.

These claims come from a single anonymous source and have not been independently confirmed. I found no response from the named senator.

The State Department declined to tell the Daily Caller whether American pressure led to the arrest.

A spokesperson said violence against Christians in the Middle Belt remains "shocking" and that the US will keep working with Nigeria to protect Christians.

Misinformation has also been circulating around Plateau arrests. Fact Check Africa this week debunked a viral photo claiming to show a suspected Plateau attacks "mastermind" arrested on 24 September 2026.

The image was of a man whose remains were recovered in 2023. That case is separate from Adam's, but readers should treat unverified photos with caution.

Allegations against Adam have not been tested in court.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,

International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. (USIP)

[email protected]
+233555275880

Sources
Daily Caller, 2 Oct 2026. https://dailycaller.com/2026/10/02/nigeria-christian-persecution-hassan-fulani-terrorism-mahmoud-adam-shehu-buba-whistle-blower/

Legit.ng, "Mahmoud Adam: US lawmaker sends message to Tinubu govt..." https://www.legit.ng/world/us/1734074-mahmoud-adam-lawmaker-sends-message-tinubu-govt-alleged-arrest-of-terror-leader/

The Real Media NG, "US Lawmaker Hails Reported Arrest of Fulani Leader in Nigeria." https://therealmediang.com/world/us/us-lawmaker-hails-reported-arrest-of-fulani-leader-in-nigeria

Obaland Magazine, 3 Oct 2026. https://obalandmagazine.com/us-congressman-riley-moore-welcomes-reported-arrest-of-mahmoud-adam-in-nigeria/

Fact Check Africa, "Viral Photo Falsely Links 2023 Plateau Death to 2026 Arrest Claim." https://factcheckafrica.net/fact-check-viral-photo-falsely-links-2023-plateau-death-to-2026-arrest-claim/