A 21-year-old notorious bandit leader, Salisu Mohammed, also known as Dogo Saleh, has been killed by his own gang members after being apprehended by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
Saleh, identified as a hitman for criminal gangs operating in Rijana Forest, Kaduna State, was linked to multiple kidnappings and killings along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Enugu highway.
According to FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, intelligence-led operations led to his arrest on 3rd March at Gidan Abe Forest while he was en route to Bwari Area Council, FCT. The 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 launched a follow-up raid on 4th March at a major bandit hideout in Kwasau Forest, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State. The operation targeted Saleh’s gang, led by one Abdu Musa, alias Kanabaro.
During the raid, the operatives were ambushed by armed bandits attempting to rescue their leader.
“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 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,” Adeh said.
Adeh listed multiple criminal acts linked to Saleh, including the abduction of a police officer’s family and the killing of two security personnel during an attack on Kujama Market, Kaduna, on 5th January 2025.
Other attacks linked to him include Kyauta Village, Chikun LGA (two years ago): two individuals, including a security officer, were kidnapped, ransom paid in millions, officer later killed; Kike Village (one year ago): A security officer’s wife kidnapped, ransom paid; Bagada Village (five months ago): three people kidnapped, ransom paid; Village near Kaduna Refinery (One year ago): Two men kidnapped, ransom paid; Karuga Village, Chikun LGA (One year ago): One person kidnapped, ransom paid; Bagado Village, Chikun LGA (eleven months ago): ransom collected; and Dan-Bushiya Village (two years ago): ransom collected.
Adeh also revealed that Saleh’s gang had ties to the Ansaru terrorist group and was involved in procuring weapons. Several key gang leaders, including Boka (overall commander), Sharmi (deputy), Dogo Saleh (assistant), and Gudan (sub-camp operator), have been eliminated in separate operations.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended officers for their bravery and assured residents of continued operations to capture fleeing gang members. He urged the public to report suspicious activities through police emergency lines.
The raid successfully dislodged the bandits’ hideout, with only one officer sustaining minor injuries. The officer has since been treated and discharged.
