Personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso, in collaboration with local security personnel, have arrested a wanted militant kingpin, Mr Sunday Godlaw, alongside his associate, Mr Prosper Tumbe, at Opugbene, Akassa, in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The suspects were arrested on Saturday, August 22, 2026, following credible intelligence on the continued movement and activities of Godlaw, who had reportedly been on the run since security personnel raided his camp at Fununu Community on August 6.

This was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday by the Base Information Officer, Sub-Lt. Japhet Joshua Dauda.

According to the statement, Godlaw fled to a neighbouring community following the raid in an attempt to evade arrest.

“Acting on the intelligence, personnel of FOB FORMOSO tracked him to Opugbene Community, where he was apprehended alongside Tumbe,” Dauda stated.

He added that the operation led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, three loaded magazines and a mobile phone from the suspects.

The military said the operation also triggered a pursuit of other suspected associates who fled into the surrounding bushes, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.

According to the statement, during interrogation, Godlaw and his alleged second-in-command reportedly confessed to terrorising, kidnapping and, in some instances, killing civilians in neighbouring communities.

The military said the alleged activities of the suspects had subjected residents of the affected communities to persistent fear and insecurity.

The arrests, it said, represented another major breakthrough in ongoing intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling militant and criminal networks and restoring peace and security within the Niger Delta.

Speaking after the operation, the Commanding Officer (FOC) of FOB Formoso Capt. S.K. Haruna, commended the troops for what he described as their professionalism, courage and operational discipline.

Haruna reaffirmed the commitment of the base to sustained operations against criminal elements within its area of responsibility.

He disclosed that search operations were still ongoing to locate and apprehend other suspected members of the group who fled during the operation.

Meanwhile, Godlaw and Tumbe remain in military custody for further investigation and interrogation.