Five suspected kidnappers and members of a criminal syndicate have been killed by troops during an encounter in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that the incident occurred shortly after midnight on Monday, September 21, 2026, after troops of Sub-Sector 71 arrested the five suspects in the area a day earlier.
According to the report, the suspects confessed their involvement in kidnapping and other criminal activities, during interrogation.
They reportedly agreed to lead troops to suspected hideouts of the syndicate to recover weapons and apprehend other members.
However, at about 12:30am, troops encountered other members of the group while heading to the suspected hideouts, leading to a gun battle.
“The five previously arrested suspects were killed, while other members of the syndicate fled the area,” Zagazola reported.
No casualty was recorded among the troops during the encounter.
Security forces have commenced efforts to track the fleeing members of the syndicate as operations continue in the area.
