Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued a 50 year old farmer, Lucky Egbiki, abducted from his farm in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The rescue followed credible intelligence on the farmer’s abduction and a coordinated operation by the security agencies aimed at tracking the kidnappers and securing the victim’s safe release.
According to the Brigade, the operation was conducted at about 6pm on August 6, 2026, after troops and police personnel exploited ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location at Onogholo in Esan South East Local Government Area.
The security forces engaged the criminals when one of the suspected kidnappers arrived at the location to collect the ransom. During the encounter, the suspect was neutralised, while other members of the gang fled into the surrounding forest.
The Army said some of the fleeing kidnappers were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation, prompting troops to intensify efforts to locate and apprehend the remaining members of the criminal group.
Egbiki was subsequently rescued unhurt, while troops recovered the N1.5 million reportedly intended as ransom payment. The victim was subjected to preliminary debriefing and medical assessment before being reunited with his family in stable condition.
The Brigade said troops conducted follow up clearance operations in the surrounding forest on August 7 and 8 in an effort to track the fleeing kidnappers. However, the operations did not result in further contact with the criminal elements.
The successful operation, the Army said, demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence driven operations and inter agency cooperation in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their courage, professionalism and prompt response, assuring residents that the Brigade would sustain pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements within its area of responsibility.
Balogun also urged residents to provide security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that sustained intelligence led operations would help deny criminals safe havens, protect lives and property, and create a safer environment for farming and other legitimate economic activities across Edo State.