Troops of 18 Brigade under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD have foiled a kidnapping attempt in Barbada general area of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, arresting one of the suspected kidnappers who later died from injuries sustained during the encounter.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on Nov. 4, 2026, when troops stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gulbin Boka responded to a kidnapping incident in the area.

On arrival, the troops discovered that local residents had confronted and repelled the kidnappers using locally available weapons.

During the confrontation, one of the suspected kidnappers sustained machete wounds but managed to escape with injuries, while his accomplices fled the scene.

The troops subsequently conducted an exploitation of the general area but initially made no contact with the fleeing criminals.

However, while on patrol, the troops received information that an injured suspect had been sighted in Dusai village, where he was reportedly seeking medical attention.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the troops mobilised to the location and arrested the suspect.

During preliminary investigation, the suspect reportedly confessed that three persons were involved in the attempted kidnapping, while the other two accomplices had escaped.

The suspect, however, later died from his injuries. His corpse was subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and necessary action. (Zagazola, excluding headline)