Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and Operation Zafin Wuta, have arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State — right in the middle of a ransom negotiation.
Acting on what officials described as “credible and actionable intelligence,” soldiers apprehended the suspect, identified as Umar Musa Geyi, on 22 November 2025 at the Jandei–Kulamu axis while he was allegedly bargaining with relatives of an abducted victim for a ₦20 million ransom.
Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Umar Mohammed, confirmed the arrest, noting that Geyi had long been on the wanted list of security agencies and was believed to be part of a kidnapping syndicate terrorising the Wukari area.
According to him, preliminary investigations link the suspect to the kidnapping of Alhaji Jano, a Fulani resident of the Jandei–Kulala community who was abducted on 13 November 2025 and remains in captivity.
Mohammed disclosed that troops intercepted the suspect during a phone call “in which he allegedly confirmed the victim was still being held and demanded a ₦20 million ransom for his release.”
He added that Geyi is now in military custody, where he is undergoing intensive interrogation aimed at locating the victim and supporting ongoing rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the soldiers for their swift action and professionalism.
He reaffirmed the army’s resolve to “dismantle all criminal networks operating within Taraba State and its environs.”
