Nigerian Military Arrests Notorious Bandit ‘Mai Pankshin’ Alongside 13 Gang Members

The Nigerian military has apprehended notorious bandit leader Adamu Buba, also known as ‘Mai Pankshin,’ along with 13 members of his gang.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the arrest on Friday, noting that the group was responsible for multiple deadly attacks and other criminal activities in Plateau and Kaduna States.

Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that troops from Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) conducted coordinated raids on terrorist camps and criminal hideouts across Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Bassa, and Jos North in Plateau State, as well as Jaba and Zangon Kataf in Kaduna State.

Weapons, ammunition, and motorcycles were recovered from the suspects, who are currently being interrogated.

Earlier, on August 17, 2025, OPSH Commander Major General Foluso Oyinlola handed over 220 weapons and 1,874 rounds of ammunition seized from criminals to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Jos, Plateau State.

Between August 13 and 20, Nigerian troops carried out a series of operations nationwide under multiple task forces.

In the North Central and North West regions, Operation Whirl Stroke teams conducted raids in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, and the Bwari Area Council of the FCT, neutralizing terrorists, arresting suspects—including a gunrunner—and rescuing kidnapped victims.

In the North East, Operation Hadin Kai launched ground and air offensives in Borno and Yobe States, targeting Boko Haram and ISWAP strongholds in Monguno, Gwoza, Konduga, Damboa, and Bama. The operation resulted in several terrorists killed, nine collaborators arrested, and three kidnapped victims rescued. Weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), motorcycles, and cash totaling ₦191,700 were also recovered.

In the North West, under Operation Fagge Yamma, troops recorded further successes in Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto States, killing terrorists, rescuing 46 kidnapped victims, and arresting 11 suspects.