6 Brigade Troops Nab Another Kidnap Kingpin in Wukari.
By Christiana Babayo
Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested another notorious kidnap kingpin in Southern Taraba, marking a fresh breakthrough in the ongoing Operation Zafin Wuta, a major clearance operation aimed at dismantling criminal networks terrorising communities in the region.
The suspect, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, was apprehended on 23 November 2025 while attempting to escape from Wukari Local Government Area.
The Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Lt Mohammed Umar, in a statement made available to Journalists, noted that Bawa is a close associate of Umar Musa, another high-profile kidnapping mastermind arrested by the Brigade barely 24 hours earlier, on 22 November.
Preliminary investigations indicate strong operational links between the duo and a wider syndicate responsible for multiple kidnappings, violent attacks, and coordinated criminal activities across Southern Taraba.
Reacting to the development, the Commander 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the troops for their professionalism and operational effectiveness.
He described the arrest as “a clear indication that Operation Zafin Wuta is achieving its intended objective of dismantling criminal syndicates and restoring security to affected communities.”
General Uwa reaffirmed the Brigade’s determination to sustain the tempo of clearance operations, warning that no criminal element would be allowed to evade justice.
The arrest further strengthens the Nigerian Army’s efforts to restore peace in Southern Taraba, where troops remain on high alert as investigations into the suspect’s network continue.
The Army urged residents to stay vigilant and provide credible information to support ongoing security operations. The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation.
