Five suspected kidnappers have been neutralised during a fierce gun battle between troops and members of a criminal syndicate in the Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred shortly after midnight on Monday, September 21, 2026, following the initial arrest of the five suspects by troops of Sub-Sector 71 a day earlier.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to involvement in kidnapping and other criminal activities. They subsequently agreed to lead troops to the syndicate’s hideouts to recover weapons and apprehend remaining gang members.
However, at approximately 12:30 a.m. while en route to the locations, troops encountered a heavily armed reinforcement of the syndicate, triggering an exchange of gunfire.
“The five previously arrested suspects were killed, while other members of the syndicate fled the area,” Zagazola reported.
Military authorities confirmed that no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation. Security forces have since intensified search and rescue efforts to track down the fleeing syndicate members as operations continue across the region.