Girei is a town and local government area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. It lies on the Benue River.The dominant tribe in the area are the Fulɓe or Fulani; however, a substantial number of Bwatiye also dwell in villages such as Greng, Notable, and Labondo within the Girei local government area.The primary occupation of the people in the area is farming and cattle rearing.Girei is also a home to Radio Gotel.In 1853, Lamido Muhammad Lawal led a decisive expedition against the formidable Bata of Bagale, a group that had staunchly resisted previous Fulbe attacks during Modibbo Adama's rule. The Bata were known for raiding traders along a critical trade route passing through their region, disrupting the flow of essential caravans that required military escorts. The Fulbe also critically needed farmlands and grazing areas at the time which made the Bagale area highly important to Lamido Lawal due to its fertile land which was suitable for both farming and grazing.

Previous attempts to conquer Bagale through two expeditions had failed, as Yola's forces heavily relied on cavalry tactics that proved ineffective in the region's mountainous terrain. However, Lamido Lawal was determined to achieve success and prepared for a prolonged siege, founding Girei as a base for the long siege. After an intense two-month-long siege, Bagale was finally overcome. Oral tradition highlights the role of a Bagale woman seeking vengeance against Geloye, the chief of Bagale, who had abducted her daughter. This woman guided the Yola forces under the cover of darkness to Geloye's location. During this covert operation, Geloye was killed, and the stronghold was razed to the ground.