Troops Nab Bandit Kingpin’s Second-in-Command, Wife in Gombe

​GOMBE – In a significant blow to the criminal networks terrorizing the North-East and North-Central regions, Nigerian security forces have successfully apprehended a high-profile bandit leader and his accomplice.

​The suspect, identified as Bala—popularly known by his alias “Pakapaka”—is reportedly the second-in-command to the notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Auta. He was arrested alongside his wife, Zulaha Bala, during a precision intelligence-led operation conducted by troops in Gombe State.

​Military sources confirmed that the couple was intercepted following an intensive tracking mission. The suspects had reportedly been on the move, fleeing from the Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State, a known enclave for criminal elements, as security forces ramped up kinetic operations in that axis.

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​”The arrest is a testament to the efficacy of sustained intelligence surveillance and coordinated ground tracking,” a senior security official stated. “Pakapaka has been a key figure in the Auta-led syndicate, which has been implicated in numerous kidnappings, cattle rustling, and violent attacks across state lines.”

​The suspects are currently in military custody, where they are undergoing rigorous interrogation. Investigators are working to extract vital information regarding the group’s operational hierarchy, their weapons supply chain, and the whereabouts of other fleeing members of the cell.

​In a related development, troops intensified patrols around the Bayar village in the Duguri axis of Bauchi State. This followed intelligence reports suggesting that the primary kingpin, Kachalla Auta, may have sought refuge in the area. While no direct contact was made during the initial sweep, the military has maintained a heavy presence in the general area to deny the bandits freedom of movement.

​The successful capture of Pakapaka is seen as a strategic victory, as he is believed to be the “tactical brain” behind many of the group’s recent incursions. His wife, Zulaha, is also being investigated for her potential role in providing logistics or serving as an informant for the gang.

​Major General Edward Buba, Director of Media Operations, has previously assured that the military remains committed to “dismantling the leadership” of these terror groups. Residents of Gombe and neighboring states are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security agencies as the hunt for Kachalla Auta continues.