Troops from the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, and the Nigeria Police Force rescued an abducted victim and killed a kidnapper during a coordinated operation in Ubiaja, Esan Southeast Local Government Area of Edo State,
Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, revealed the information in a statement on Sunday, saying the operation was prompted by credible intelligence on the kidnapping of Lucky Egbiki, 50, who was kidnaped at his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, Esan Southeast Local Government Area.
According to the announcement, the rescue operation was carried out at around 6 p.m. on August 6, 2026, by troops working alongside Nigerian police officers.
Anyanwu said the security forces exploited ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a specified spot at Onogholo, within Esan South-East Local Government Area, where they engaged the criminal elements.
He added that during the confrontation, one of the kidnappers who arrived at the spot to collect the ransom was killed by the military, leading the other members of the gang to abandon the victim and flee into the adjacent bush, with some suspected to have sustained bullet wounds.
The military subsequently freed the victim unhurt and retrieved the N1.5m meant as a ransom payment.
The rescued victim was handed over to his family following preliminary debriefing and medical examination and was verified to be in stable health.
The statement partly read, “Troops of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued an abducted victim and killed a kidnapper during a coordinated operation in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area, Edo State.
“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.”
Anyanwu stated that in a follow-up clearance operation on August 7 and 8, 2026, troops vigorously patrolled the surrounding jungle in an attempt to locate the fleeing kidnappers. However, no further communication was established with the criminal elements.
He noted that the successful operation highlighted the Nigerian Army’s operational readiness, intelligence-driven approach, and determination to tackle abduction and other kinds of violent crime in Edo State.
According to an Army spokeswoman, the exercise demonstrated the necessity of interagency collaboration in improving the efficiency of security operations.
He asked the people of Edo State to continue providing timely, credible, and actionable information to security services, as such assistance was critical to maintaining operational successes and improving security throughout the state.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, Commander of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, praised the troops for their proactiveness, gallantry, and professionalism during the operation.
The brigade commander reassured Edo State residents that it will continue to target kidnappers and criminal elements in its area of responsibility.
Troops will conduct intelligence-led operations to prevent safe havens for criminals, protect lives and property, and create a safe environment for farming and
