Troops of the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, have captured a man identified as a major kidnapping ringleader in Southern Taraba.
The arrest took place on Monday, November 23, when soldiers detained Alhaji Abubakar Bawa in Wukari Local Government Area while he was reportedly trying to escape.
Investigators believe Bawa has strong ties to Umar Musa, another well-known kidnapper who was taken into custody by the same brigade a day earlier on Saturday, November 22.
Early findings suggest that both men belong to a larger criminal network involved in numerous abductions, violent crimes and coordinated attacks across the region.
These arrests fall under Operation Zafin Wuta, a focused clearance mission launched by the Nigerian Army to track down and dismantle criminal groups responsible for terrorising communities in Southern Taraba.
The mission relies on intelligence-driven patrols, cooperation with local security structures and rapid troop mobilisation to areas identified as high-risk.
Since the operation began, several kidnapping rings have been disrupted and hostages held for ransom have been rescued.
Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, Commander of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, commended the personnel for their precise execution and discipline.
He said, “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 also reaffirmed the military’s resolve to stamp out criminal activity, stating, “No criminal element will be allowed to escape justice as long as these operations continue at the current momentum.”
Residents in Wukari and surrounding areas are said to be relieved, as persistent kidnappings and violent incidents have disrupted normal life and heightened fear for months.
Local leaders have promised to continue supporting the military by sharing intelligence and enhancing community-level surveillance.
The Nigerian Army has urged citizens to remain alert and provide security agencies with credible information that can help weaken criminal networks.
Bawa is currently being held for questioning as authorities work to uncover the full structure of the syndicate and identify additional accomplices.
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