‎Suspected kidnappers were on Tuesday killed in Plateau State after attempting to snatch a rifle from a Nigerian Army soldier during a counter-kidnapping operation in Wase Local Government Area.
‎
‎Troops of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, under the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), were conducting a follow-up operation after raiding a kidnappers’ hideout near Lantom Village in the Kadarko District when the incident occurred.
‎
‎The Nigerian Army said the operation was based on credible intelligence and initially led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of a locally fabricated rifle, an axe and a machete.
‎
‎According to the Army, the suspects were believed to be responsible for recent kidnapping and armed robbery incidents in the area.
‎
‎It added that two other members of the gang escaped during the raid, making away with an AK-47 rifle.
‎
‎In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Army said the arrested suspects later volunteered to guide troops to a hidden cache of arms and ammunition on the outskirts of Kadarko.
‎
‎“While guiding the troops to the hidden cache, the suspects made a desperate attempt to snatch the weapon of one of the soldiers in a bid to escape,” the statement said.
‎
‎The Army said the suspects were immediately neutralised by the troops, bringing the attempted escape to an end.
‎It also said that follow-up operations were ongoing to track down the two fleeing gang members and recover the missing AK-47 rifle.