Troops Neutralise Notorious Kidnapper, Rescue Four Victims in Edo

Troops of 4 Brigade under the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a notorious kidnapper, rescued four abducted victims and arrested a suspected criminal during separate operations in Edo State.

According to a statement signed by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations
4 Brigade Nigerian Army,  Capt. Kennedy Anyanwu noted that, the operations were conducted under Operation IGBO DANU 1 in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, personnel of the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and local vigilantes.

According to the statement, during a night operation on 3 March 2026, troops carried out a clearance patrol in Warake Forest, Auchi Local Government Area, following reports of gunshots in the area. According to military sources, the troops responded swiftly with aggressive pursuit while exercising restraint in the use of firearms.

In the ensuing encounter, one notorious kidnapper said to have been terrorising Auchi and its environs was neutralised. The superior firepower of the troops forced other members of the gang to abandon their captives and flee into the bush.

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

Items recovered from the neutralised suspect included ₦650,000 in cash, footwear, mobile phones and a power bank.

In a separate operation on the same day, troops, in collaboration 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 Nigeria Police Force, Ekpoma Division, for further investigation.

The Commander of 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to sustain the offensive 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 commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.