Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested another notorious kidnap kingpin in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, November 24, 2025 said the suspect identified as Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, is a close associate of another kidnap kingpin, Umar Musa Geyi. LIB reported that Geyi was arrested on arrested on 22 November 2025 while negotiating N20m ransom with relatives of an abducted victim. According to the statement, the two suspects are part of a wider criminal syndicate responsible for multiple kidnappings, violent attacks, and coordinated criminal activities across Southern Taraba. Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have recorded another major breakthrough in the ongoing Operation Zafin Wuta, a clearance operation targeted at flushing out criminal elements terrorizing communities in Southern Taraba, the statement read. "During a carefully coordinated operation on 23 November 2025, troops apprehended a suspected kidnapping kingpin as he attempted to escape from Wukari Local Government Area. "The suspect, identified as Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, is believed to be a close associate of Mr. Umar Musa, another notorious kidnapping mastermind arrested by 6 Brigade troops on 22 November 2025. Preliminary investigations have established strong links between the two suspects and a wider criminal syndicate responsible for multiple kidnappings, violent attacks, and coordinated criminal activities across the region. Reacting to the development, the Commander 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience, and operational precision. According to him, the arrest of Bawa is a clear indication that Operation Zafin Wuta is achieving its intended objective of dismantling criminal syndicates and restoring security to affected communities. He reaffirmed the Brigades commitment to sustaining aggressive clearance operations, stressing that no criminal element will be allowed to escape justice as long as these operations continue at the current momentum. This latest success reinforces the resolve of the Nigerian Army to rid Southern Taraba of all criminal threats and restore lasting peace to the area. Troops under 6 Brigade remain fully vigilant as investigations into the suspects network intensify, the statement added. "The Nigerian Army therefore urges residents to remain alert and provide credible information that will further assist security agencies in their ongoing efforts. The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation.
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