By ZAKAA LAZARUS
Troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, under 2 Division, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued a kidnapped farmer and neutralised one kidnapper during a coordinated operation in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The operation was carried out at about 6:00pm on Thursday, August 6, 2026, following credible intelligence on the abduction of Mr Lucky Egbiki, 50, at his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu.
According to the statement, security forces leveraged ongoing ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location at Onogholo in Esan South East LGA, where they engaged the suspects.
During the encounter, one of the kidnappers who came to collect the ransom was neutralised by troops. This forced other members of the gang to abandon the victim and flee into the surrounding forest, with some suspected to have sustained gunshot wounds.
The troops rescued the victim unhurt and recovered ₦1.5 million meant as ransom payment.
The victim was later handed over to his family after preliminary debriefing and medical assessment. He was confirmed to be in stable condition.
In a follow-up clearance operation conducted on August 7 and 8, 2026, troops combed the surrounding forest in search of the fleeing kidnappers. No further contact was made with the criminal elements.
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their proactiveness, courage and professionalism.
He reassured residents that the Brigade would sustain aggressive, intelligence-led operations to deny criminal elements safe havens and protect lives and property across Edo State.
Brigadier General Balogun added that the operations were aimed at creating a secure environment for farming and other legitimate economic activities.
The Brigade also urged the people of Edo State to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to sustain operational successes.
