Troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have successfully rescued a kidnapped victim during a coordinated operation in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
A statement signed by Captain Kennedy Anyawu Assistant Director Army Public Relations 4 Brigade Nigerian Army Benin City said the operation followed credible intelligence on the abduction of Mr Lucky Egbiki, aged 50, who was kidnapped at his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The rescue operation was conducted at about 1800 hours on 6 August 2026 by troops, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police. The security forces exploited ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location at Onogholo, within Esan South East Local Government Area, where they engaged the criminal elements.
During the encounter, one of the kidnappers who arrived at the location to collect the ransom was neutralized by the troops, forcing the other members of the gang to abandon the victim and flee into the surrounding forest, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
The troops subsequently rescued the victim unhurt and recovered the sum of ₦1.5 million intended as ransom payment. The rescued victim was handed over to his family after preliminary debriefing and medical assessment, and was confirmed to be in stable condition.
In a follow-up clearance operation conducted on 7 and 8 August 2026, troops aggressively combed the surrounding forest in an effort to track the fleeing kidnappers. However, no further contact was made with the criminal elements.
The successful operation further demonstrates the Nigerian Army’s operational readiness, intelligence-driven approach and unwavering commitment to combating kidnapping and other forms of violent crime in Edo State. It also underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration in enhancing the effectiveness of security operations.
The people of Edo State are therefore encouraged to continue providing timely, credible and actionable information to security agencies, as such support remains vital to sustaining operational successes and enhancing security across the state.
Meanwhile, the Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their proactiveness, courage and professionalism displayed during the operation. He reassured the people of Edo State that the Brigade would continue to apply sustained pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.
The Commander further affirmed that troops would sustain aggressive and intelligence-led operations aimed at denying criminal elements safe havens, protecting lives and property, and creating a secure environment for farming and other legitimate economic activities across Edo State.
