Army Arrest Notorious Kidnap Suspect in Taraba, Step Up Search for Abducted Persons.
By Christiana Babayo
Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing Operation Zafin Wuta with the arrest of a notorious kidnap suspect in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Acting on intelligence report, the troops on 22 November 2025 apprehended Umar Musa Geyi at Jandei-Kulamu in Wukari.
According to the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations Lt Mohammed Umar, the suspect, who had long been on the radar of security agencies, is believed to be a key member of a kidnapping network responsible for terrorising several communities in the area.
According to military sources, preliminary findings link Geyi to the 13 November 2025 abduction of Alhaji Jano, a Fulani community leader from the Jandei-Kulala axis who remains in captivity.
The suspect was arrested shortly after troops intercepted him during a phone call in which he confirmed the victim was still being held and demanded a ransom of ₦20 million.
He is currently in military custody undergoing interrogation as efforts intensify to locate the victim and secure his safe release.
Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their swift and coordinated operation while reaffirming the Brigade’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks across Taraba State, rescue victims, and restore lasting peace.
General Uwa also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely, credible information to support the ongoing security operations.
The arrest marks yet another milestone in Operation Zafin Wuta, a campaign aimed at flushing out bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements across the state.
