Gombe, Nigeria – April 16, 2026
In a major intelligence-driven operation, Nigerian security forces have arrested Bala, popularly known as “Pakapaka,” the second-in-command to the wanted bandit kingpin Kachalla Auta. The suspect was apprehended alongside his wife, Zulaha Bala, in Gombe State.
The operation, which targeted fleeing members of a criminal network, was the result of weeks of sustained intelligence surveillance and coordinated ground tracking by troops. The couple was reportedly intercepted after they fled the notorious Dajin Madam Forest, a known bandit enclave in Plateau State, following intensified military pressure in the North-Central region.
A Major Blow to a Criminal Network
The arrest is seen as a significant victory in the fight against banditry and kidnapping. Security sources described Pakapaka as a key figure in the Auta-led syndicate, which is implicated in numerous violent attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling operations across state lines.
Both suspects are currently in military custody, where they are undergoing rigorous interrogation. The aim is to extract vital information about the group’s operational hierarchy, weapons supply chains, and the whereabouts of other fleeing members, including the group's leader, Kachalla Auta.
The Hunt for the Kingpin Continues
In a related development, troops have intensified patrols around Bayar village in the Duguri axis of Bauchi State. This action was taken after intelligence reports suggested that Kachalla Auta may have sought refuge in the area following the raid on his camp. While no direct contact was made during the initial sweep, the military has maintained a heavy presence to deny the bandits freedom of movement and disrupt their operational networks across Plateau, Taraba, and adjoining states.
This successful operation follows a separate clearance mission on April 9, 2026, where troops dismantled several bandit camps in the Dajin Madam Forest, including one linked to Auta Kachalla, and rescued 21 kidnapped victims. The ongoing military pressure underscores a renewed commitment to dismantling the leadership of these terror groups.
Tags
Security & Crime