LIFESTYLE Culture

Army, Police Rescue Kidnap Victim In Edo Operation

by admin on | 2026-08-09 17:04:25

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Army, Police Rescue Kidnap Victim In Edo Operation

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

A coordinated Army-Police operation in Edo State has led to the rescue of a 50-year-old farmer, Mr Lucky Egbiki, after security forces disrupted a planned ransom collection and forced the kidnappers to abandon their victim.

The operation, conducted in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area, was disclosed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, in a statement.

Egbiki was abducted from his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, prompting security forces to launch intelligence-led efforts to locate him and intercept the kidnappers.

At about 1800 hours on August 6, troops of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under 2 Division, working with the Nigeria Police Force, exploited ransom negotiations to draw the kidnappers to a location at Onogholo.

The operation turned the ransom collection point into a trap. One of the kidnappers who arrived to collect the ransom was neutralised, while others abandoned the victim and fled into the surrounding forest. Some of the fleeing suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

Security forces recovered the ₦1.5 million ransom and rescued the victim unhurt. After preliminary debriefing and medical assessment, Egbiki was confirmed to be in stable condition and reunited with his family.

Troops have since launched follow-up operations across the surrounding forest on August 7 and 8 to track down the fleeing suspects, although no further contact has been reported.

The Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their proactiveness, courage and professionalism, reaffirming the brigade’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The brigade urged residents to provide timely and actionable information to security agencies as efforts intensify to deny criminal elements safe havens and protect communities and economic activities across Edo State.