By Odita Sunday
Troops of Operation KO SALO under the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued a kidnapped farmer and neutralised a suspected kidnapper during a coordinated operation in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The operation, conducted on August 6, followed credible intelligence on the abduction of Mr. Lucky Egbiki, 50, who was reportedly kidnapped while working on his farm at Okehussan, Ubiaja, according to a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu.
Captain Anyanwu said security operatives exploited ongoing ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a designated location at Onogholo in Esan South East Local Government Area, where troops and police personnel launched the operation.
During the encounter, one of the suspected kidnappers who arrived to collect the ransom was neutralised, while other members of the gang fled into the surrounding forest with suspected gunshot wounds after abandoning the victim.
The troops rescued Egbiki unhurt and recovered the ₦1.5 million intended as ransom payment. He was later reunited with his family after undergoing preliminary debriefing and medical examination, which confirmed he was in stable condition.
The statement added that troops carried out follow-up clearance operations on August 7 and 8 to track down the fleeing suspects but made no further contact with the criminals.
The Nigerian Army said the operation reflects its commitment to intelligence-led operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes, while highlighting the importance of collaboration between security agencies in tackling insecurity.
The Army also appealed to residents of Edo State to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, noting that public support remains critical to sustaining security operations across the state.
Meanwhile, the Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism, courage and swift response during the operation.
He assured residents that the Brigade would sustain pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements through aggressive intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting lives and property and creating a secure environment for farming and other lawful economic activities.
The statement was signed by Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin City.
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