In 1973, as part of his rebel training, he adopted the nom de guerre "Bravo", in reference to a radio drama called Diego Salvador since the name meant "victory" to him.

[5] He was implicated to have been behind attacks in Lanao del Norte in 2008, after a negotiations for a deal that would create a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) was dropped.

[7][8] In November 2016, Makapaar was accused of being involved in illegal drugs and of setting up his own "government" in Lanao by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Part of the plebiscite also called for the inclusion of select towns in Lanao del Norte, which Makapaar advocated for.

[11] Abdullah Makapaar was nominated by the MILF in February 2019 to be part of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament which serves as an interim legislature for the then-newly formed BARMM.