morganABLE News/security& justice
He explained that the security forces leveraged ongoing ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location in Onogholo, within the same local government area, where they engaged the suspects in a confrontation.
KaNo —
Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a suspected kidnapper and rescued an abducted farmer in Edo State, in a coordinated security operation that underscores ongoing efforts to curb violent crime across the country.
The operation, carried out by soldiers of the 4 Brigade under the 2 Division in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, took place in Ubiaja, Esan South-East Local Government Area, following credible intelligence on the abduction of a 50-year-old farmer, Lucky Egbiki.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, Kennedy Anyanwu, the victim had been kidnapped at his farm in Okehussan community, prompting a swift response from security operatives.
Anyanwu disclosed that the rescue mission was executed at about 6 pm on August 6, 2026, after troops, working closely with police personnel, tracked the movement of the kidnappers and devised a strategy to intercept them.
He explained that the security forces leveraged ongoing ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location in Onogholo, within the same local government area, where they engaged the suspects in a confrontation.
“During the encounter, one of the kidnappers who arrived at the location to collect the ransom was neutralised by the troops, forcing the other members of the gang to abandon the victim and flee into the surrounding forest,” the statement read.
The fleeing suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire, although no further contact was made with them immediately after the incident.
Victim Handed Over To Family
The victim was subsequently handed over to his family after undergoing preliminary medical checks and debriefing, and was confirmed to be in stable condition.
He added that troops conducted a follow-up clearance operation on August 7 and 8, combing nearby forests in a bid to track down the fleeing suspects. However, no further encounters were recorded during the exercise.
The Army spokesman reiterated the commitment of the military to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and ensuring the safety of residents, particularly in rural communities where kidnapping has posed a growing threat to livelihoods.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the 4 Brigade, Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism, courage and prompt response, describing the operation as a demonstration of the military’s readiness to protect lives and property.
Balogun assured residents of Edo State that the brigade would intensify intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks and restoring confidence in affected communities.
The Edo rescue comes amid broader security concerns in several parts of the country, where kidnapping for ransom has remained a persistent challenge despite ongoing military and police intervention.
Police Arrest Five Foreign Nationals
In a related development, the Benue State Police Command has arrested five foreign nationals and recovered 35 mobile phones during separate operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Peter Aondongu, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the arrests were made following credible intelligence on suspicious movements by the suspects.
According to the police, three of the suspects-identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46,were apprehended on August 4 at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area while attempting to board a vehicle.
“Their explanation, activities and movements within the area were considered suspicious and required further clarification,” the statement said.
In a separate operation on August 5, police operatives arrested two additional suspects, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, at a hotel in Ugbokolo.
Further investigations led to the recovery of 23 Tecno Camon 50 Pro devices and one Infinix Hot 60, bringing the total number of seized mobile phones to 35.
The suspects reportedly told police they were dealers in Android phones, but authorities said the circumstances surrounding their presence and the volume of devices in their possession warranted deeper scrutiny.
Aondongu said the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi for further investigation to determine the nature of their activities and whether the phones were linked to any criminal enterprise.
The police expressed concerns that the possession of the devices could be a cover for clandestine operations, particularly in rural communities, noting that the suspects had limited ability to communicate in English.
Police Urge Residents To Be Vigilant
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, assuring that the command would sustain efforts to prevent crime and ensure public safety.
Security analysts say the twin developments in Edo and Benue states reflect the increasing reliance on intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
They note that while recent operations have yielded successes, sustained efforts, community involvement and institutional coordination will be critical to achieving long-term stability and curbing criminal networks operating across different regions of the country.
