Tuesday, November 25, 2025 - 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.
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 Brigade’s 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 suspect’s 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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