A 21-year-old notorious bandit leader, Salisu Mohammed, also known as Dogo Saleh, was killed by his own gang members after his arrest by operatives of the FCT Police Command. Dogo Saleh, a hitman for criminal gangs operating in the Rijana Forest of Kaduna State, had been responsible for numerous kidnappings and killings along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Enugu highway.
FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, issued a statement on Wednesday confirming that the police, acting on intelligence, conducted a covert operation to intercept Dogo Saleh on March 3. He was arrested at Gidan Abe Forest while traveling to Bwari Area Council in the FCT. During the arrest, police recovered an AK-49 rifle, two magazines, 60 rounds of live ammunition, and ₦3 million suspected to be ransom proceeds.
Following the arrest, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT Police launched a follow-up raid on March 4, 2025, targeting a known bandit hideout in Kwasau Forest, Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State, where Dogo Saleh’s gang, led by Abdu Musa, alias “Kanabaro,” had established a major stronghold. The operatives were ambushed by armed bandits attempting to free their leader.
Josephine Adeh highlighted Dogo Saleh’s involvement in several criminal activities, including the kidnapping of a police officer’s family and the killing of two security personnel in an attack on January 5, 2025, at Kujama Market in Kaduna. She also noted that his gang was linked to the Ansaru terrorist group, working together to procure weapons.
Adeh confirmed that other key members of the gang, including Boka, the overall commander; Sharmi, the deputy; Dogo Saleh, the assistant; and Gudan, who operated a sub-camp, had been eliminated in separate operations.
The police operation successfully dismantled the bandits’ hideout. One officer, an Inspector with the FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit, sustained minor injuries but has since been treated and discharged. No other casualties were reported.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended the officers for their bravery and assured the public that operations to capture remaining gang members are ongoing. He urged citizens to report any suspicious activities via police emergency lines.
