Joint Security Operation Neutralizes Suspect, Rescues Abducted Farmer in Edo

A joint operation by the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force has led to the rescue of a 50-year-old farmer and the killing of a suspected kidnapper in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The victim, identified as Lucky Egbiki, was abducted while working on his farm at Okehussan in Ubiaja. Acting on actionable intelligence, security personnel set up a sting operation using ongoing ransom negotiations to track the abductors to a drop-off point at Onogholo.

According to Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 4 Brigade, Kennedy Anyanwu, troops engaged the gang when a suspect arrived at the location to retrieve the ransom money. One suspect was killed during the confrontation, causing the remaining gang members to flee into the nearby forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

Security operatives successfully rescued Egbiki unhurt and recovered the ₦1.5 million ransom payment intended for his release. Following a medical evaluation and preliminary debriefing, the farmer was safely reunited with his family.

Subsequent clearance operations conducted in the surrounding forest on August 7 and 8 yielded no further contact with the fleeing suspects.

Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, Commander of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, praised the tactical coordination between the army and police, reassuring residents that intelligence-led operations will continue to target criminal networks and protect farming communities across Edo State.