Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a significant development in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against armed criminal networks, troops of the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and Operation Zafin Wuta, have achieved a major security milestone with the arrest of a notorious bandit and kidnap kingpin linked to violent crime across the Benue–Taraba axis. The operation marks one of the most consequential breakthroughs in recent months as military authorities intensify efforts to dismantle organised criminal syndicates that have long terrorised rural communities and transport corridors in the North-Central and North-East regions.
According to official military communications and multiple security reports, Nigerian Army troops acting on credible intelligence apprehended the suspect, identified as Umar Musa Geyi, in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State on 22 November 2025 during what was described as a ransom negotiation operation. The kingpin, widely wanted by security agencies, was intercepted at Jandei-Kulamu, where he was reportedly engaged in a phone discussion demanding a ransom of ₦20 million for the release of a kidnapped victim, identified locally as a Fulani resident named Alhaji Jano. The suspect’s capture occurred as part of a coordinated manoeuvre to disrupt the kidnapping network’s logistics and command chain.
Military sources described Musa as a key operative within a broader syndicate responsible for multiple abductions, extortion schemes and violent attacks on travellers, farmers and local residents across the Taraba and Benue border belts. Authorities noted that actionable intelligence—gathered through surveillance and community cooperation—was pivotal in locating and detaining the suspect before the ransom could be exchanged and the victim further harmed.
The arrest of Musa appears to have triggered further action by the 6 Brigade. Within 24 hours of his detention, troops also apprehended another suspected kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, in Southern Taraba as he attempted to flee the area. Security officials reported that both suspects are linked and believed to be part of the same criminal network orchestrating kidnappings, ransom demands and armed incursions in affected communities. The close succession of arrests underscores the Nigerian Army’s escalating operational tempo under the Operation Zafin Wuta clearance campaign.
Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, Commander of 6 Brigade and Sector 3 OPWS, praised the troops for their professionalism and operational precision, affirming that the arrests signal a decisive blow to organised kidnapping syndicates in the region. He emphasised that sustained military pressure, intelligence fusion and community support remain vital to degrading criminal networks that have long evaded law enforcement in rugged borderlands.
The Benue–Taraba axis, spanning portions of Central and Northeastern Nigeria, has endured persistent insecurity for years, characterised by kidnappings for ransom, banditry, cattle rustling and communal clashes. These criminal activities have disrupted economic life, impeded transportation and instilled fear among farmers and traders navigating isolated rural roads. The 6 Brigade’s offensive operations, including Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Zafin Wuta and Operation Lafiya Nakowa, reflect a strategic effort to exert sustained military pressure, dismantle hideouts and disrupt criminal coordination across state boundaries.
In addition to these recent kingpin arrests, the brigade has conducted numerous clearance operations that have resulted in the destruction of bandit encampments, neutralisation of armed elements and the rescue or recovery of abducted civilians. These efforts demonstrate a multifaceted approach combining direct combat, intelligence-led raids and tactical raids on remote terrain, effectively tightening the noose around armed gangs and terror cells operating in dense forests and hard-to-reach rural areas.
Security officials have repeatedly highlighted the importance of civilian collaboration and timely information sharing in facilitating operational success. Local residents, community leaders and vigilante networks in Taraba and neighbouring Benue have reportedly played a role in tipping off security forces about suspicious movements and potential criminal hideouts. This cooperation has enabled troops not only to pre-empt attacks but also to locate key figures within criminal syndicates.
Government authorities and military leadership have urged communities to remain vigilant and to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence, stressing that such cooperation significantly improves response times and enhances the effectiveness of clearance operations.
Towards Restoring Stability and Confidence
The arrest of high-profile suspects like Musa and Bawa is anticipated to have ripple effects across the criminal underworld, disrupting command structures and deterring would-be kidnappers and bandits from exploiting vulnerable populations. Residents of Wukari, Katsina-Ala and adjacent localities have expressed cautious optimism, welcoming the arrests as affirmations of security commitment while calling on authorities to sustain the momentum and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Security analysts emphasise that while such arrests are notable achievements, long-term stability will require a comprehensive approach that combines military action with social and economic interventions addressing the root causes of criminality. Enhancing education, economic opportunities and local governance, they argue, will be essential in undercutting the appeal of criminal networks and reducing cycles of violence in historically marginalised terrains.
As the Nigerian Army consolidates its gains in the region, authorities remain steadfast in their mission to restore peace, protect lives and secure livelihoods across the Benue–Taraba axis. The recent apprehension of a notorious kingpin and his associate marks a pivotal moment in these efforts, offering a reprieve for communities long beleaguered by insecurity and a signal that systematic criminal enterprises can be challenged through coordinated, resolute action.
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