Nigerian Army Raids Kidnappers’ Hideout in Kaduna, Kills 1 Suspect
Troops from Nigeria’s Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Kaduna State on Friday, neutralizing one suspect in a fierce gun battle, the army said.
The operation unfolded January 2, 2026, in Jagindi Kagom village, Jemaa Local Government Area, under the umbrella of Operation PEACE SHIELD.
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Acting on “credible intelligence” about kidnapper activity, soldiers from Sector 7 stormed the site, sparking an exchange of fire, according to a statement from the Nigerian Army.
One suspect, identified as Dahiru Adamu Barka, was killed during the clash. The rest of the gang fled into the bush, but security forces are now hunting them down.
Kaduna has been a hotspot for kidnappings, with armed groups targeting villagers, students, and travelers amid Nigeria’s banditry crisis.
Just last month, similar raids in the northwest yielded weapons caches and rescued hostages.
No casualties were reported among troops. The army emphasized its commitment to dismantling criminal networks, urging affected residents to share tips.
The manhunt continues.
