Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade, Benin City, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, have foiled a kidnapper’s attempt to collect N1.5 million ransom from a victim in Edo State.
The security operatives, acting under Operation KO SALO, neutralised one suspected kidnapper during the operation and rescued the victim unharmed without any ransom payment being made.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Benin City, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City on Sunday.
According to him, the victim, identified as 50-year-old Lucky Egbiki, was abducted by suspected kidnappers at his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
He said the security team commenced a rescue operation at about 6:00 pm on August 6, 2026, after receiving information about the abduction.
Anyanwu explained that the operatives used ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a planned location at Onogholo in Esan South East Local Government Area, where they engaged the criminals.
“During the encounter, one of the kidnappers who arrived at the location to collect the ransom was neutralised by the troops, forcing other members of the gang to abandon the victim and flee into the surrounding forest,” he stated.
He added that some of the fleeing criminals were believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation.
The troops recovered the N1.5 million ransom money and rescued Egbiki, who was later handed over to his family after medical checks and preliminary debriefing.
The Army spokesman said the victim was confirmed to be in stable condition.
He further disclosed that follow-up clearance operations were conducted between August 7 and 8, 2026, as troops combed the surrounding forests in search of the fleeing kidnappers, but no further contact was made.
Captain Anyanwu urged residents of Edo State to continue providing credible information to security agencies, noting that public cooperation remains essential in the fight against criminal activities across the state.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.