iDeemlawfulTroops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and Operation Zafin Wuta in Taraba State, have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Wukari Local Government Area.
The troops apprehended the suspect, identified as Umar Musa Geyi, on 22 November 2025 at the Jandei–Kulamu area of Wukari while he was allegedly negotiating a N20 million ransom with relatives of an abducted victim.
According to the Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Umar Mohammed, the suspect has been on the wanted list of security agencies and is believed to be linked to a kidnapping syndicate operating around the Wukari axis.
Mohammed said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect was connected to the abduction of one Alhaji Jano, a Fulani resident of the Jandei–Kulala area, who was kidnapped on 13 November 2025. He noted that the victim is still in captivity.
He explained that troops arrested the suspect after intercepting him during a phone conversation in which he allegedly confirmed that the victim remained in custody and demanded a N20 million ransom for his release.
The Army spokesperson added that the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation to help locate the victim and support ongoing rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their professionalism and reiterated the Brigade’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks across the state.
This comes days after the Ondo State Police arrested four people, including Ifeoluwa Julius, in Ogbese, Akure North LGA, for kidnapping, armed robbery, and ritual-related crimes.
Police said the gang had long been under surveillance and had recently returned from a trip to acquire charms to strengthen their criminal activities.
During the arrest, the police recovered fetish items, blood-stained cloth, and an expended cartridge. Julius admitted to being a ritualist and confirmed the gang’s involvement in multiple kidnappings.
Police say the suspects will be charged after investigations conclude.
