Troops of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, under 2 Division, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued a kidnapped farmer and recovered N1.5 million ransom during a coordinated operation in Edo State.
The victim, identified as 50-year-old Mr Lucky Egbiki, was kidnapped at his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of the state.
According to an official statement signed by Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, the rescue operation was conducted at about 1800 hours on August 6, 2026, following credible intelligence on the abduction.
The security forces reportedly 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 to collect the ransom was neutralised by the troops, while other members of the gang fled into the surrounding forest, abandoning the victim. 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 and was confirmed to be in stable condition.
In a follow-up clearance operation conducted on August 7 and 8, troops combed the surrounding forest in an effort to track the fleeing kidnappers, but no further contact was made with the criminal elements.
The Brigade said the successful operation demonstrated the Nigerian Army’s operational readiness and intelligence-driven approach to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State, while highlighting the importance of inter-agency collaboration.
The people of Edo State were urged to continue providing timely, credible and actionable information to security agencies to support ongoing operations and enhance security across the state.
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their proactiveness, courage and professionalism during the operation.
Balogun assured residents that the Brigade would sustain pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements within its area of responsibility, while continuing 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 the state.
