Army Kills Kidnapper, Rescues Abducted Farmer in Edo.

Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, working alongside the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued a 50-year-old farmer, Lucky Egbiki, who was abducted from his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The farmer was rescued at about 6pm on August 6 following credible intelligence on his abduction.

According to the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin City, Kennedy Anyanwu, the security forces used ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location in Onogholo, Esan South-East LGA.

When one of the kidnappers arrived to collect the ransom, troops engaged the gang and neutralised him. The other kidnappers reportedly abandoned their victim and fled into the surrounding forest.

The Army said some members of the gang were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.

Egbiki was rescued unhurt, while the security forces recovered the N1.5 million ransom that had been prepared for the kidnappers.

Following a preliminary debriefing and medical assessment, the victim was handed over to his family and confirmed to be in stable condition.

In a follow-up clearance operation conducted on August 7 and 8, troops searched the surrounding forest in an effort to track the fleeing suspects but recorded no further contact with the criminals.

The Army said the operation demonstrated the troops’ operational readiness and intelligence-driven approach to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.

The Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their courage, professionalism and proactive response.

He assured residents that the brigade would continue sustained and intelligence-led operations to deny criminals safe havens, protect lives and property, and create a safer environment for farming and other legitimate economic activities across Edo State.

The Army also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains essential to improving security across the state.

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