A notorious 21-year-old bandit leader, Salisu Mohammed, widely recognized as Dogo Saleh, met his demise at the hands of his own gang members following his arrest by operatives of the FCT Police Command.
Dogo Saleh, a known enforcer for criminal groups operating in Rijana Forest, Kaduna State, had been linked to multiple kidnappings and killings along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Enugu highway.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the FCT Police Command Spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, detailed how police operatives, acting on intelligence, conducted a covert operation to apprehend Dogo Saleh at Gidan Abe Forest on March 3 while he was traveling toward Bwari Area Council, FCT.
According to Adeh, upon his capture, officers recovered an AK-49 rifle, two magazines, 60 rounds of live ammunition, and ₦3 million, suspected to be proceeds from ransom payments.
Following intelligence gathered from the suspect, the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a raid on March 4 at a major bandit hideout in Kwasau Forest, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State.
The hideout was controlled by his gang, led by a criminal identified as Abdu Musa, also known as “Kanabaro.”
During the operation, police operatives encountered armed resistance as gang members ambushed them in an attempt to free 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 stated.
Outlining Dogo Saleh’s criminal history, Adeh confirmed his involvement in the abduction of a police officer’s family and the killing of two security personnel in an attack at Kujama Market, Kaduna, on January 5, 2025.
“Other attacks linked to Dogo Saleh include: Kyauta Village, Chikun LGA (two years ago) – Two individuals, including a security officer, were kidnapped. Ransom collected: Millions of Naira. The officer was later killed. Kike Village (one year ago) – A security officer’s wife was kidnapped. Ransom collected: millions of naira; Bagada Village (five months ago) – Three individuals kidnapped. Ransom collected: millions of naira; Village near Kaduna Refinery (one year ago) – Two men kidnapped. Ransom collected: millions of naira; Karuga Village, Chikun LGA (one year ago) – One person kidnapped. Ransom collected: millions of naira; Bagado Village, Chikun LGA (eleven months ago) – Ransom collected: millions of naira and Dan-Bushiya Village (two years ago) – Ransom collected: millions of naira,” she said.
She further revealed that the gang had links with the Ansaru terrorist group, assisting in arms procurement.
She also disclosed that several key figures in the gang had been eliminated in separate operations, including Boka, the overall commander, his deputy Sharmi, Dogo Saleh, and Gudan, who managed a sub-camp in the forest.
“The bandits’ hideout was successfully dislodged. One officer, the Inspector of the FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit, sustained minor injuries and has since been treated and discharged. No other casualties were recorded,” she added.
Commending the operatives for their bravery, FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, assured residents that efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing members of the gang.
He also urged the public to report any suspicious activity through the police emergency lines.
