By Luka Binniyat
(KADUNA) – A self-confessed murderer, gunrunner, kidnapper and terrorist was arrested by the Nigerian Police at Katul Crossing, Kachia Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, on November 8, 2026.
Identified as Aliyu Usman, 33, alias “Yellow Dan Mangoro” (Yellow son of a Mango), the suspect identified himself as Fulani by ethnicity and a Muslim. He had been a forest gangster for 5 years, all while married to a woman named Aisha, with whom he had four children.
He claimed to be close to gangster kingpin Dogo Gide, one of Nigeria’s most notorious bandit terrorist chiefs.
The Arrest and Confession
The suspect was interrogated by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hassan Gimba Sule, Sector Commander, Special Tactical Squad, Kaduna Sector. Sule read to him what he described as “cautionary words” in Hausa.
The suspect affirmed in Hausa that he was making the statement of his own free will, without being forced or induced in any way, and that he understood that the statement could be used against him in court.
“Are you aware of the charges against you which involve several cases of murder, kidnapping of citizens, armed robbery, cattle rustling and destruction of communities, association with wanted criminals, illegal trafficking of unauthorised weapons such as AK 47 and AK 49 which we arrested you with,” the police asked.
He affirmed, “yes I am aware.”
He admitted that he was arrested with three AK 47 rifles and two AK 49 rifles at a location called “crossing” in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State on November 8, 2026.
“I was taking the guns to Kuchi, (Shiroro District, Kuta LGA of Niger State) for our business of kidnapping,” he said.
Dan Mangoro said he worked under several bosses.
“My boss is Dogo Babandiga; but he also works under Dogo Gide, who is the overall boss in all our operations. But I have direct access to Dogo Gide, because of the things I do for all of them,” he said on the video.
The Nigerian military declared Dogo Gide wanted in March 2024, placing a N5 million bounty on his head.
Dogo Gide and His Notorious Criminal Network
According to media reports, Dogo Gide has been linked to some of the country’s most horrifying atrocities, including the following:
- The July 2021 abduction of 121 students from Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna, and more than 100 students of the Federal Government College, in Yauri, Kebbi State.
- The March 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack, during which eight passengers were killed and dozens abducted.
- The August 2023, in which his fighters claimed responsibility for shooting down a military helicopter in Niger State.
His gang has perpetrated mass kidnappings, cattle rustling, rape, murder, village raids and extortion.
Yellow Dan Mangoro went on to name Kachala Alli, Jah Bros and one Mallam Sadiku, whom he claimed was a Boko Haram [Western Learning Forbidden] leader operating in the bushes of Niger State under Dogo Gide’s control.
Ali Kachala, whom the suspect identified as one of his bosses, was ranked ninth on the list of Nigeria’s most wanted terrorists released in November 2022.
How the Gang Operates and Shares Its Loot
“In our operations, we go to targeted communities, kidnap people and rustle cattle. After the operation, we share the hostages and cattle based on hierarchy,” he said.
According to him, after the gang members had taken their respective shares, the stolen animals were herded to markets and sold to designated dealers.
“After the sales, we – the bigger boys – could earn between N500,000 and N600,000, but the major money goes to the bosses,” he said.
“In a day, we could sell cows for N20 million,” he claimed.
According to him, his boss, Dogo Babandiga, tasked by Dogo Gide, would plan the next operation.
“He would release part of the money to me to purchase more arms sometimes from Tanko, who is in Katul Crossing. “Sometimes from someone else. I will also bring in new people. Then we would go for either the next robbery on the Kaduna-Abuja express road, or kidnap people in villages as the situation warrants,” he confessed to the police.
Sometimes, Babangida makes between N20 million and N30 million from ransom payments, and sometimes less, he said.
For his own part, he said he received between N400,000 and N600,000, depending on the ransom paid.
Hostages Killed When Ransom Is Not Paid
The grimmer aspect of the criminal operation, according to the suspect, is that some hostages are eventually killed.
“After a given time, if a hostage is unable to pay, our leaders would instruct us to kill the person and we will obey,” he said.
Niger State Main Base of Operation
Asked if he could recall the number of communities the gang had raided, he said there were too many for him to remember.
“The villages we plunder mostly are Kuta Local Government Area, especially the Shiroro areas,” he said, adding that, “we also attack communities in Mariga and Kagara forest communities in Rafi LGAs of Niger state.
“Niger state is our main base around Shiroro Lake areas,” he said.
Five Years in Kidnapping and Arms Trafficking
Dan Mangoro was then directed to demonstrate how he concealed weapons in his motorcycle.
He dismantled the motorcycle seat to reveal an AK 47 rifle concealed underneath it.
Police Confirm Arrest
When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Manir Hassan, confirmed the development.
“We are making progress on the case as more arrests are being made,” he told TruthNigeria Nigeria in Kaduna, Tuesday.
Luka Binniyat writes for TruthNigeria from Kaduna.
