Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued a 50-year-old farmer, Mr Lucky Egbiki, who was kidnapped from his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The operation, conducted under Operation KO SALO, followed credible intelligence on the abduction and subsequent movement of the victim by the kidnappers.
According to a statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, the rescue operation was carried out at about 6:00 p.m. on August 6, 2026.
The troops, working with the police, exploited ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location at Onogholo in Esan South East Local Government Area.
Upon arrival at the location, the security forces engaged the criminal elements.
During the encounter, one of the kidnappers who arrived to collect the ransom was neutralized by the troops, while other members of the gang fled into the surrounding forest. Some of the fleeing criminals are believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
The troops subsequently rescued Egbiki unharmed and recovered the ₦1.5 million ransom that had been intended for payment to the kidnappers.
The rescued farmer was subjected to preliminary debriefing and medical assessment before being handed over to his family. He was confirmed to be in stable condition.
The Nigerian Army said troops subsequently conducted follow-up clearance operations on August 7 and 8, combing the surrounding forest in an effort to locate the fleeing kidnappers.
However, no further contact was made with the criminal elements during the clearance operations.
The Brigade described the operation as another demonstration of the Nigerian Army’s intelligence-driven approach and commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.
It also highlighted the importance of collaboration between security agencies in enhancing the effectiveness of operations against criminal elements.
The Army urged residents of Edo State to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that actionable intelligence remains critical to preventing criminal activities and sustaining security gains.
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their proactiveness, courage and professionalism during the operation.
He assured residents that the Brigade would sustain pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.
According to him, troops will continue to conduct 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.
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