In a significant breakthrough in the fight against banditry, notorious bandit leader Salisu Mohammed, popularly known as Dogo Saleh, has been killed during a botched rescue attempt by his gang members. The 21-year-old, identified as a hitman for criminal gangs operating in Rijana Forest, Kaduna State, was responsible for multiple kidnappings and killings along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Enugu highway.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, Dogo Saleh was arrested on March 3, 2025, during a covert operation in Gidan Abe Forest. The operation, based on intelligence, intercepted the bandit leader while he was en route to Bwari Area Council, 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 his capture, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a follow-up raid on March 4, 2025, at a bandit hideout in Kwasau Forest, Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The hideout, led by Abdu Musa, alias “Kanabaro,” was a major operational base for the gang. However, police operatives were ambushed by armed bandits attempting to free their leader. A fierce gun battle ensued, during which the bandits were overpowered and forced to flee into the forest with severe gunshot wounds. Tragically, Dogo Saleh sustained fatal injuries inflicted by his own gang during the crossfire and was later confirmed dead at Kubwa General Hospital.
Criminal Activities Linked to Dogo Saleh
Dogo Saleh was implicated in numerous heinous crimes, including the abduction of a police officer’s family and the killing of two security personnel during an attack at Kujama Market, Kaduna, on January 5, 2025. Other attacks linked to his gang include:
- Kyauta Village, Chikun LGA (two years ago): Two individuals, including a security officer, were kidnapped. The officer was later killed.
- Kike Village (one year ago): A security officer’s wife was kidnapped.
- Bagada Village (five months ago): Three individuals were kidnapped.
- Village near Kaduna Refinery (one year ago): Two men were kidnapped.
- Karuga Village, Chikun LGA (one year ago): One person was kidnapped.
- Bagado Village, Chikun LGA (eleven months ago): Multiple kidnappings.
- Dan-Bushiya Village (two years ago): Multiple kidnappings.
Adeh also revealed that Dogo Saleh’s gang collaborated with the Ansaru terrorist group to procure weapons. She noted that key gang leaders, including Boka (overall commander), Sharmi (deputy), Dogo Saleh (assistant), and Gudan (sub-camp operator), have been eliminated in separate operations.
Police Commendation and Public Appeal
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, praised the officers for their bravery and tactical expertise during the operation. He assured residents of ongoing efforts to capture fleeing gang members and urged the public to report suspicious activities via police emergency lines.
“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,” Adeh stated.
