Summary
Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have taken into custody a suspected kidnapper believed to be part of a wider criminal ring operating across southern Taraba State.
According to a statement released by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, the Public Relations Officer of the 6 Brigade, the suspect, identified as Abubakar Bawa, was intercepted while attempting to escape from Wukari Local Government Area. His arrest falls under Operation Zafin Wuta, an ongoing clearance mission designed to eliminate criminal gangs that have long threatened the safety of communities in the region.
Security officials revealed that Bawa is suspected to be a close associate of Umar Musa, an alleged kidnapping mastermind previously arrested by 6 Brigade troops on November 22, 2025. Preliminary findings reportedly indicate strong connections between Bawa, Musa, and a broader criminal network linked to a series of abductions, violent assaults, and coordinated attacks within the area.
Responding to the breakthrough, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, Commander of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, praised the troops for their tactical discipline and unwavering dedication. He noted that Bawa’s arrest demonstrates clear progress in dismantling entrenched criminal cells and restoring safety to vulnerable communities.
He emphasized that the momentum of Operation Zafin Wuta remains strong, adding that no criminal actor would be allowed to evade justice as long as the operation is active. The army stated that the success of this arrest further strengthens its determination to eradicate all forms of insecurity in southern Taraba.
The statement also encouraged residents to stay vigilant and supply reliable information that could support ongoing security efforts. Bawa, according to the army, is currently in custody and undergoing more extensive interrogation as investigations into his criminal network continue.
What You Should Know
This development reflects the Nigerian Army’s intensified crackdown on criminal groups in southern Taraba.
With Operation Zafin Wuta yielding notable successes, security forces aim to disrupt kidnapping syndicates and restore peace across communities that have suffered repeated attacks.
Authorities believe the latest arrest will provide critical leads to dismantling a larger web of criminal activity.
