Troops Neutralise Notorious Kidnapper, Rescue Four Victims in Edo

Troops Neutralise Notorious Kidnapper, Rescue Four Victims in Edo

Troops of the 4 Brigade under 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, have neutralised a notorious kidnapper, rescued four abducted persons and arrested another suspect in separate operations across Edo State.

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The breakthrough came during Operation IGBO DANU I, when troops working alongside personnel of the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and local vigilantes conducted a night operation on March 3, 2026, in Warake Forest, Auchi Local Government Area.

According to military sources, the troops responded to gunshots heard during a routine night patrol and swiftly engaged the criminals with controlled firepower. During the encounter, a notorious kidnapper known for terrorising Auchi and surrounding communities was neutralised, while other members of the gang fled into the forest, abandoning their captives.

Four victims — Stella Abbas (29), Tina Ododa (19), Razak Rashid (27) and Mutanibi Kalifa (16) — were rescued unhurt and later reunited with their families.

Items recovered from the neutralised suspect include N650,000 in cash, footwear, mobile phones and a power bank.

In a separate operation on the same day, troops in conjunction with the Edo State Security Corps raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Ujemen, Esan West Local Government Area.

A 39-year-old suspect, Omogbegha Solomon, was arrested during the raid. Troops also discovered a shrine containing charms and photographs of various individuals in an abandoned room within the compound. The shrine was destroyed at the scene, while the suspect was handed over to the , Ekpoma Division, for further investigation.

The Commander, 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and courage, urging them to sustain the momentum against criminal elements in line with directives from the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife.

He reassured residents of Edo State of the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

The statement was signed by Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin City, on March 4, 2026.

Troops Neutralise Notorious Kidnapper, Rescue Four Victims in Edo