Troops Arrest Bandit Kingpin’s Deputy, Wife in Gombe

Pakapaka and his wife

Troops Arrest Bandit Kingpin’s Deputy, Wife in Gombe

Nigerian troops have arrested the deputy to a notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Auta, alongside his wife in Gombe State following an intelligence-driven operation that tracked the suspects across multiple locations in northern Nigeria.

Security sources confirmed that the suspects, identified as Bala—popularly known as “Pakapaka”—and his wife were intercepted after fleeing from the Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State, where the criminal group was previously believed to have maintained a hideout.

The arrest followed sustained intelligence surveillance and coordinated ground tracking by security operatives targeting fleeing members of the armed network.

The suspects are currently in military custody and are undergoing interrogation to determine their level of involvement in the group’s activities, logistics operations, and possible links to other cells operating across state boundaries in the North-Central region.

According to counter-terrorism analyst Zagozola Makama, the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle bandit networks that frequently relocate across forest corridors linking Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, and Gombe states to evade security pressure.

Follow-Up Operations in Duguri Axis

In a related development, troops reportedly conducted follow-up patrols around Bayar village in the Duguri axis after intelligence suggested that the main bandit kingpin, Kachalla Auta, may have fled into the area.

However, security sources confirmed that no contact was made during the search operation.

Despite the absence of direct engagement, troops have maintained heavy presence in the area, carrying out sustained patrols aimed at restricting the movement of armed groups and preventing regrouping.

Sustained Pressure on Bandit Networks

Security officials say ongoing operations are part of a wider strategy to disrupt criminal networks operating in forested areas across Plateau, Taraba, and neighbouring states.

The Nigerian military has intensified surveillance, reconnaissance missions, and joint patrols in recent months as part of efforts to degrade bandit command structures and cut off escape routes used by fleeing fighters.

Authorities say investigations into the arrested suspects are ongoing, while efforts continue to locate other members of the group still at large.