Troops Neutralise Kidnapper, Rescue Abducted Farmer in Edo

By Harriet Tornguvan 

Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under 2 Division, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued a 50-year-old farmer, Mr Lucky Egbiki, from kidnappers in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The operation, conducted under Operation KO SALO, followed credible intelligence on the abduction of Egbiki at his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja.

According to the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin City, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, the rescue operation was carried out at about 6:00 p.m. on August 6, 2026, after security personnel exploited ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location at Onogholo in Esan South East Local Government Area.

He said security forces engaged the criminal elements when one of the kidnappers arrived at the location to collect the ransom.

During the encounter, troops neutralised one of the kidnappers, while other members of the gang abandoned the victim and fled into the surrounding forest. Some of the fleeing criminals were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

The troops subsequently rescued Egbiki unhurt and recovered the N1.5 million ransom intended for the kidnappers.

The victim was handed over to his family after preliminary debriefing and medical assessment, with authorities confirming that he was in stable condition.

Captain Anyanwu added that troops conducted follow-up clearance operations on August 7 and 8, combing the surrounding forests in an effort to track the fleeing kidnappers. However, no further contact was made with the criminals.

The successful operation, he said, underscored the Nigerian Army’s operational readiness and commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.

He also stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening security operations and urged residents to continue providing security agencies with timely and credible information.

Meanwhile, the Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their courage, proactiveness and professionalism during the operation.

Balogun assured residents that the Brigade would sustain pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.

He further said the troops would continue to conduct aggressive and intelligence-led operations to deny criminals safe havens, protect lives and property, and create a secure environment for farming and other legitimate economic activities across Edo State.