Troops, other security agencies foil kidnappers’ ransom collection, neutralise suspect in Edo

A suspected kidnapper has been neutralised by operatives of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army under the 2 Division, Benin City  in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies at the point of collecting the sum of N1.5 million ransom from a victim in Edo State.

The troops under operation KO SALO, however, rescued the victim unhurt and without the payment of the ransom.

DAILY POST reports that Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Benin City disclosed this on Sunday, in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.

Anyanwu said suspected kidnappers allegedly abducted 50-year-old Lucky Egbiki at his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

He said on receipt of the incident, the combined team of the security operatives conducted a rescue operation at about 1800 hours on 6 August 2026.

He added that during the operations, the security forces exploited ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location at Onogholo, within Esan South East Local Government Area, where they engaged the criminal elements.

“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, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

“The troops subsequently rescued the victim unhurt and recovered the sum of ₦1.5 million intended as ransom payment. The rescued victim was handed over to his family after preliminary debriefing and medical assessment, and was confirmed to be in stable condition.

“In a follow-up clearance operation conducted on 7 and 8 August 2026, troops aggressively combed the surrounding forest in an effort to track the fleeing kidnappers. However, no further contact was made with the criminal elements,” he said.

The 4 Brigade’s spokesman encouraged the people of Edo State to continue providing timely, credible and actionable information to security agencies, noting that such support remains vital to sustaining operational successes and enhancing security across the state.