Troops have arrested the second-in-command to a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Auta, alongside his wife in Gombe State, following a coordinated intelligence-driven operation targeting fleeing members of a criminal network.
The suspects, identified as Bala, popularly known as “Pakapaka,” and his wife, Zulaha Bala, were apprehended after reportedly escaping from the dense forests of Dajin Madam Forest, where the gang had been operating.
It was gathered that the arrests were made after sustained surveillance and strategic tracking across multiple locations by security operatives determined to dismantle the network.
According to an X post shared by security analyst Zagazola Makama on Thursday, the operation was the result of meticulous intelligence gathering and coordinated ground efforts aimed at intercepting key figures within the criminal syndicate.
It was gathered that the suspects were intercepted following days of intelligence monitoring and movement tracking as they attempted to evade capture after fleeing their base.
Both suspects are currently in custody, where they are undergoing interrogation.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Troops Rescue Two Kidnap Victims In Benue Raid
In a related operation, troops launched follow-up patrols around Bayar Village after intelligence suggested that the main kingpin, Kachalla Auta, had relocated to the area.
However, no direct contact was made with the fleeing leader during the search.
The military revealed that security forces have continued to assert dominance across the wider region through aggressive patrols and surveillance missions.
The operations are aimed at restricting the movement of armed groups and dismantling their networks across Plateau State, Taraba State, and neighbouring areas.