Nigeria, Jan. 8 -- There was drama in Plateau State on Tuesday when suspected kidnappers attempted to snatch the rifle of a Nigerian Army soldier during a counter-kidnapping operation, leading to their death.

Troops of 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 of Wase Local Government Area.

The raid, which was carried out based on what the Army described as credible intelligence, initially led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of a locally fabricated rifle, an axe and a machete.

The suspected kidnappers were believed to be involved in recent kidnapping...