Five suspected kidnappers have been killed during a gun battle between troops and members of a criminal syndicate in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation was carried out by troops of Sector 7, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), following the arrest of the suspects earlier in the area.

Security sources told security analyst, Zagazola Makama that the suspects were arrested on October 2 and October 5 by troops of Sub-Sector 71 in Sanga LGA.

According to the sources, the five suspects were subjected to further interrogation during which they confessed to involvement in kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area.

The suspects were said to have agreed to lead troops to the hideouts of their gang members for the recovery of weapons and to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

However, at about 12:30 a.m. while troops were en route to the hideouts, they ran into other members of the gang, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.

In the process, the five suspects in custody were killed, while other members of the criminal group fled the scene.

Military sources confirmed that no casualty was recorded on the side of the troops.

Operations are ongoing in the area to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.