Army Troops Rescue Kidnapped Farmer, Neutralise Suspected Kidnapper in Edo
Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued a kidnapped farmer, Mr Lucky Egbiki, following a coordinated operation in Ubiaja, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Egbiki, 50, was abducted from his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, prompting security agencies to launch an intelligence-driven operation to secure his release.
The rescue operation, conducted at about 6pm on Thursday, August 6, 2026, involved the troops working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to a statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, the security forces exploited ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location at Onogholo in Esan South-East Local Government Area.
At the location, the security operatives engaged the kidnappers after one of the gang members arrived to collect the ransom.
During the encounter, the troops neutralised one of the suspected 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 ₦1.5 million ransom money that had been intended for the kidnappers.
The rescued farmer was handed over to his family after undergoing preliminary debriefing and medical assessment, with authorities confirming that he was in stable condition.
As part of efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang, troops conducted follow-up clearance operations in the surrounding forest on August 7 and 8. However, no further contact was made with the suspected kidnappers.
The Army said the operation demonstrated its operational readiness and intelligence-driven approach to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State, while also highlighting the importance of collaboration between security agencies.
The people of Edo State were urged to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that such cooperation remains critical to sustaining operational successes and improving 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 maintain sustained pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.
He further said the troops would continue with aggressive and intelligence-led operations aimed at denying criminals safe havens, protecting lives and property, and creating a secure environment for farming and other legitimate economic activities across Edo State.
