Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have taken into custody a suspected kidnapper identified as Abubakar Bawa.
According to the army, Bawa was arrested while attempting to escape from the Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The operation is part of Operation Zafin Wuta, an ongoing clearance mission designed to eliminate criminal groups threatening communities in southern Taraba, as stated by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Public Relations Officer of 6 Brigade.
The suspect is believed to be a close associate of Umar Musa, described as another kidnapping mastermind earlier apprehended by troops on 22 November 2025.
Preliminary investigations revealed strong connections between both suspects and a broader criminal network accused of multiple kidnappings, violent attacks, and coordinated criminal operations in the region.
Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, Commander of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, praised the troops for their resilience and professionalism, adding that Bawa’s arrest demonstrates that Operation Zafin Wuta is achieving its goal of dismantling criminal syndicates and restoring security.
He emphasised the Brigade’s resolve to sustain intensified clearance operations, noting that no criminal element would escape justice as the mission continues.
The statement further urged residents to remain vigilant and provide reliable information to support security efforts. The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing deeper interrogation.