A notorious 21-year-old bandit leader, Salisu Mohammed, popularly known as Dogo Saleh, has met his end after being killed by his own gang members, following an arrest by the operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. The incident occurred after a police-led operation successfully intercepted the wanted criminal, who had been linked to several kidnappings and murders across northern Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, Dogo Saleh had been a prominent figure in the criminal underworld, operating primarily from the Rijana Forest in Kaduna State. He was known for leading a gang responsible for violent crimes along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Enugu highway, including kidnappings and killings.
On March 3, 2025, after a covert intelligence-led operation, police officers apprehended Dogo Saleh at Gidan Abe Forest, situated on the way to Bwari Area Council in the FCT. The police managed to seize a number of items from him during the arrest, including an AK-49 rifle, two magazines, 60 rounds of live ammunition, and ₦3 million, believed to be ransom proceeds from his criminal activities.
Following his arrest, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT Police Command carried out a follow-up raid on March 4, 2025, targeting a known bandit hideout in Kwasau Forest, located in Kagarko Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State. This hideout was said to be a major operational base for Dogo Saleh’s gang, led by a man known as Abdu Musa, alias “Kanabaro.”
During the raid, the police team was ambushed by armed bandits who attempted to free Dogo Saleh. A fierce gun battle ensued, with police officers displaying superior tactical skills. Eventually, the bandits were overpowered and forced to flee into the forest, suffering severe gunshot wounds in the process.
However, in the heat of the crossfire, Dogo Saleh was accidentally shot and fatally wounded by members of his own gang. He was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, but was confirmed dead upon arrival. The circumstances surrounding his death suggest that the bandits’ attempt to rescue their leader led to a deadly internal conflict.
Dogo Saleh’s criminal activities span several years, and he has been linked to numerous high-profile attacks in northern Nigeria. One of the most notable incidents was the abduction of a police officer’s family and the killing of two security personnel during a January 5, 2025 attack at Kujama Market in Kaduna.
Other criminal activities attributed to him include:
- Kyauta Village, Chikun LGA (two years ago): Two individuals, including a security officer, were kidnapped. The ransom paid was in millions of Naira, and the officer was later killed.
- Kike Village (one year ago): A security officer’s wife was kidnapped, with ransom collected in millions of Naira.
- Bagada Village (five months ago): Three individuals were kidnapped, and millions of Naira in ransom was collected.
- A village near Kaduna Refinery (one year ago): Two men were kidnapped, and a ransom was paid in millions of Naira.
- Karuga Village, Chikun LGA (one year ago): One person was kidnapped, and ransom was collected in millions of Naira.
- Bagado Village, Chikun LGA (11 months ago): Ransom was paid in millions of Naira.
- Dan-Bushiya Village (two years ago): Ransom paid in millions of Naira.
Adeh also noted that Dogo Saleh’s gang had connections with the Ansaru terrorist group, which is known for providing weapons to criminal gangs. These links highlight the level of coordination between bandit groups and other terror cells operating in northern Nigeria.
The raid to dislodge Dogo Saleh’s hideout in Kwasau Forest was successful, with police capturing several criminals and dismantling a major base for the gang. During the operation, one officer from the FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit sustained minor injuries, but he has since been treated and discharged. Thankfully, no other casualties were recorded among the police operatives.
The successful operation was a significant blow to bandit activities in the region. In her statement, Josephine Adeh further highlighted that the police had eliminated other key figures within Dogo Saleh’s gang, including Boka, the overall commander; Sharmi, his deputy; and Gudan, an assistant who ran a sub-camp in the forest. These operations are part of ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle criminal gangs and restore peace in affected areas.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, commended the officers for their bravery and tactical expertise during the operation. He expressed confidence that the successful disbandment of the gang would help reduce the menace of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the region.
Disu assured residents of the FCT that security operations would continue in a bid to capture the fleeing members of Dogo Saleh’s gang and ensure that other criminal elements are brought to justice. He also urged the public to cooperate with the police by reporting suspicious activities and providing information through the police emergency lines.
Dogo Saleh’s death has been met with mixed reactions, with some hailing the police for their successful operation while others remain concerned about the ongoing problem of banditry and terrorism in northern Nigeria. The rise of criminal gangs like Dogo Saleh’s has become a major issue, particularly along major highways such as the Kaduna-Lokoja-Enugu route, where kidnappings have become widespread.
