Army Arrests Notorious Taraba Kidnapper, Discloses Criminal Syndicate Behind Dangerous Attacks
- The Nigerian Army has captured suspected kidnapper Abubakar Bawa in Wukari, part of a larger criminal network
- Preliminary probes link Bawa to Umar Musa, another kidnapper arrested days earlier in Taraba state
- Operation Zafin Wuta continues as the army vowed to dismantle gangs and restore safety to local communities
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Troops from the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, have captured a suspected kidnapper in southern Taraba state.
Source: Twitter
The suspect, Abubakar Bawa, was caught while trying to flee in Wukari Local Government Area. According to a statement on Monday, November 24, by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, the Public Relations Officer of 6 Brigade, the arrest was part of Operation Zafin Wuta, an ongoing mission to track down criminals terrorising local communities.
Preliminary investigations suggest Bawa is connected to Umar Musa, another suspected kidnapper arrested by the army just a day earlier on Saturday, November 22. Both men are believed to be part of a larger criminal network responsible for kidnappings, violent attacks, and other crimes across the region.
Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, commander of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, praised the troops for their dedication and professionalism.
He said Bawa’s arrest shows that Operation Zafin Wuta is making progress in dismantling criminal groups and restoring safety to the area.
He also assured residents that the army will continue its operations and that no criminal will be allowed to escape justice.
Source: Twitter
Local people have, however, welcomed the arrest, saying kidnappings and violent attacks have caused fear and disrupted everyday life. Authorities have called on the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information to help security forces in their work.
Bawa is now in custody and undergoing further questioning as the army investigates his connections and looks for other members of the criminal network.
Army blames self‑defense for Plateau crisis
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian Army says the escalating crisis in Plateau state is fueled by communities arming themselves in self‑defence.
Major General M.A. Etsy‑Ndagi, Chief of Civil‑Military Relations, described the violence as a “cycle” between farming and herding communities.
He urged disarmament, calling for the seizure of locally‑made weapons and for residents to cooperate with security forces.
Bandits “feeling the heat,” Army says
Legit.ng had earlier reported that the Nigerian Army claims bandits are under intense pressure due to coordinated operations across the North‑West.
Major General Warrah Idris said criminal groups no longer enjoy the freedom they once had, thanks to intensified offensives.
He urged troops to sustain their efforts, vowing they will not relent until abducted schoolgirls are safely rescued.
Suspected kidnapper nabbed negotiating N20m ransom
Troops from the 6 Brigade in Taraba state arrested a suspected kidnapper, Umar Musa Geyi, while he was allegedly negotiating a ₦20 million ransom.
Army forces from Operation Whirl Stroke and Operation Zafin Wuta acted on credible intelligence to make the arrest in Wukari’s Jandei–Kulamu area.
The suspect is now in custody and being interrogated to help locate his victim and dismantle his kidnapping network.
Source: Legit.ng
Ridwan Adeola Yusuf (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content creator with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.
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