21-year-old notorious bandit terrorising Abuja, Kaduna killed in shootout
A 21-year-old notorious bandit Dogo Saleh who leads an armed group terrorising communities in Abuja and Kaduna, has been shot dead during a gun battle between his group and police operatives while attempt was made by his group to free him
Penpushing reports that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command Public Relations Officer Josephine Adeh explained that Saleh, born Salisu Mohammed, had been apprehended by the police and was leading a police team to his group’s hideout when they were ambushed.
The police spokesperson in a statement said Saleh was arrested on March 3, 2025 when police operatives acted on intelligence about the infiltration of bandits into Abuja, adding that he died from gunshot wounds sustained during a gun battle.
“The Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led operatives to block their access routes. Saleh was arrested at Gidan Abe forest while he was en route to Bwari Area Council, FCT’, she said.
Penpushing further reports that the Command Public Relations Officer in the statement stated that Saleh, a Fulani man from Baban Saural village, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was arrested at Gidan Abe forest.
“Salisu Mohammed, a 21-year-old Fulani man from Baban Saural village, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was identified as a notorious hitman for bandit leaders operating in Rijana Forest, Kaduna State. He had terrorised communities along major highways, kidnapping unsuspecting victims and extorting huge ransoms’, Adeh added
Penpushing also reports that the statement said Saleh attempted to escape during the operation that led to his arrest, abandoning his weaponry which included an AK-49 rifle with two magazines of 60 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and N3 million cash suspected to be ransom proceeds.
“On March 4, 2025, at approximately 11:14 PM, leveraging intelligence provided by the arrested suspect, operatives launched a high-risk follow-up operation to dismantle his [Saleh] gang’ Adeh stated.
“The suspect led the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to Kwasau Forest, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State, where his gang, led by one Abdu Musa, alias ‘Kanabaro’ had established a major hideout’, the statement read
‘The operatives swiftly engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle, displaying superior tactical expertise and resilience. The bandits were ultimately overpowered and forced to flee into the forest with severe gunshot wounds’, the statement added.
“The suspect sustained fatal gunshot wounds inflicted by his own gang during the crossfire. He was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead. The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Olatunji Disu, has commended the officers involved in the operation for their bravery, professionalism, and tactical efficiency’ Adeh wrote
Penpushing reports that the statement explained that while the terrorists’ hideout was dislodged, one officer, an inspector from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Anti-Kidnapping Unit, sustained minor injuries and has since been treated and discharged.
The statement disclosed that the police recovered an AK-47 rifle and one magazine with two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the bandits, however, assured residents that operations are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing gang members and dismantle all criminal networks operating within the region.”
Penpushing further reports that the police in the statement said findings showed that Saleh was involved in at least nine violent operations including kidnapping-for-ransom and killing, while it is recalled that about two years ago at Kyauta Village in Chikun local government of Kaduna State, abducted two people including a security agent.
The statement stated that he collected an unspecified amount of money as ransom even though the security agent was later killed, adding that a year ago, Saleh was also involved in the abduction of a security officer’s wife at Kike village.
Penpushing also reports that the police said around the same period, he took part in a raid on Kuriga and a village near Kaduna Refinery where his gang kidnapped three people, and similarly about five months ago raided Bagada village and abducted three people.
The notorious bandit in same vein reigned terror in villages like Dan-Bushiya and Bagado, and was involved in the kidnapping of a woman and her two children at Police Quarters in Baban Saural, Chikun local government area, while the officer and her children remain in captivity.
Penpushing reports that Saleh was also involved in an attack on security outpost at Kujama Market, Kaduna in January where the gang killed two security operatives and carted away some firearms.
“Salisu Mohammed and his gang were actively involved in kidnapping motorists along the Lokoja-Enugu highway. Led by his gang leader, Kanaboro, alongside Saleh and Abubakar, they recently kidnapped a tribal youth leader and others, collecting ransom before their release,” the police added.
Penpushing further reports that Saleh’s gang is loyal to the notorious Dogo Gide and that the group also “collaborates with the Ansaru terrorist group an affiliate of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) for arms and ammunition supply.
The group broke away from Boko Haram around 2012 and many of its members moved to Kaduna, where they lured locals around the Birnin Gwari axis to join their ranks, while record has it that Rijana forest previously served as a hideout for Boko Haram terrorists under the leadership of Mallam Sadiku who now operates four camps in Alawa forest in Niger State.
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