Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have recorded another breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on kidnapping syndicates in Taraba State, arresting a second major suspect linked to a network of violent criminal operations.
The arrest was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by Lt. Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations. According to the statement, the suspect — identified as Alhaji Abubakar Bawa — was apprehended on November 23, 2025, during a coordinated security operation aimed at dismantling kidnapping rings operating across Southern Taraba.
Bawa is believed to be a close associate of Umar Musa, a notorious kidnapping kingpin who was arrested by the same brigade just a day earlier, on November 22, in Wukari.
“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 Southern Taraba region,” the army stated.
Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Kingsley Uwa, praised the troops for their professionalism and operational efficiency, noting that the arrests reflect significant progress under Operation Zafin Wuta.
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“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 said.
He added that the army remains committed to restoring lasting peace in Southern Taraba, urging residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing operations.
The consecutive arrests mark a major advancement in efforts to curb the persistent wave of kidnappings and insecurity in the region, offering renewed hope for communities long affected by criminal violence.