US lawmaker hails arrest of terrorist leader

US lawmaker, Riley Moore. Photo: AFP

A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has welcomed the reported arrest of Mahmoud Adam, whom he described as a radical Islamic Fulani terrorist leader allegedly responsible for the killing of Christians in Nigeria.

Moore, a Republican member of the US House of Representatives, made the comment in a post on X on Saturday, crediting the Nigerian government for the arrest and linking it to security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

“This is great news for Christians in Nigeria!

“The arrest of Mahmoud Adam, a radical Islamic Fulani terrorist leader responsible for the killings of countless Christians, is proof that the US-Nigeria Security Cooperation agreement is bearing fruit,” Moore said.

The lawmaker added that the Nigerian government deserved credit for the operation, while praising efforts by the US Congress and the administration of President Donald Trump to address attacks against Christians.

“The Nigerian government deserves credit for making this arrest, and it’s clear that Congress and the Trump admin’s efforts to defend Christians are making a positive difference.

“We must keep pushing to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ!” he said.

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

The report of his arrest was published in October following the emergence of information and photographs concerning his detention.

The circumstances surrounding the arrest and the allegations against Adam remain subject to official clarification. Reports have described him as a community leader while also alleging links to violent groups.

The reported arrest comes amid increased attention in Washington to insecurity and attacks involving Christian communities in Nigeria.

The United States and Nigeria have continued security cooperation on counterterrorism and other security matters.

Olugbenga Ige is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over nine years of professional reporting experience. He is known for his sharp eye for compelling stories and a strong instinct for identifying newsworthy developments. Over the years, Olugbenga has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.