The army says the arrest shows that its operation is achieving its goal of dismantling criminal groups and restoring security to affected communities.
Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended a suspected kidnapper. The suspect, identified by the army as Abubakar Bawa, was reportedly arrested while attempting to flee from Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, the arrest is part of the ongoing Operation Zafin Wuta, a clearance mission aimed at flushing out criminal elements terrorising communities in southern Taraba.
The suspect is believed to be a close associate of Umar Musa, who is alleged to be another kidnapping mastermind arrested by 6 Brigade troops on 22 November 2025.
The army stated that preliminary investigations have established strong links between the two suspects and a broader criminal syndicate responsible for multiple kidnappings, violent attacks, and coordinated criminal activities across the region.
In response to the development, the Commander of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, praised the troops for their professionalism, resilience, and operational precision. According to him, the arrest of Bawa is evidence that Operation Zafin Wuta is meeting its objective of dismantling criminal networks and restoring security to affected communities.
He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to maintaining aggressive clearance operations and stressed that no criminal element would be allowed to evade justice as long as the operations continue with the current momentum.
The statement added that this success strengthens the Nigerian Army’s resolve to eliminate criminal threats from southern Taraba and restore lasting peace to the area. Troops under 6 Brigade remain vigilant as investigations into the suspect’s network intensify.
The army urged residents to stay alert and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in their ongoing efforts. It also noted that the suspect is in custody and undergoing further interrogation.
