Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested a suspected notorious kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, during a coordinated operation in Southern Taraba.
The arrest, carried out on November 23, 2025, took place in Wukari Local Government Area, where soldiers intercepted Bawa as he allegedly attempted to flee. Military sources say he is a close associate of Umar Musa, another notorious kidnap suspect apprehended by the same Brigade a day earlier.
Preliminary findings link both suspects to a wider criminal network believed to be behind several high-profile kidnappings, violent attacks, and coordinated assaults across the region.
The operation is part of Operation Zafin Wuta, a targeted clearance mission introduced by the Nigerian Army to dismantle criminal groups terrorising communities in Southern Taraba. The initiative relies on intelligence-led patrols, collaboration with local security outfits, and rapid deployment of troops to known hotspots.
Since its commencement, Operation Zafin Wuta has reportedly dismantled multiple kidnapping cells and rescued victims held for ransom.
Commander of the 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, praised the troops for their precision and professionalism, describing Bawa’s arrest as renewed evidence of the operation’s impact.
“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.
General Uwa reaffirmed the military’s commitment to flushing out criminal elements, adding that no criminal would be allowed to evade justice as long as the current operational tempo is sustained.
Residents of Wukari and neighbouring communities have expressed relief, noting that recurrent kidnappings and violent attacks had instilled fear and disrupted daily activities for months. Local authorities have pledged support for ongoing military operations by offering intelligence and strengthening community vigilance.
The Nigerian Army urged residents to remain alert and continue providing credible information to assist in the clampdown on criminal networks.
Bawa remains in custody as investigations continue to unravel the full extent of the group’s operations and identify additional accomplices.
