By Odita Sunday
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade, operating under 2 Division in Operation WABAIZIGAN, have rescued 14 kidnap victims following a swift operation along the Lagos-Benin Expressway in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to a statement on Friday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, the troops responded to credible intelligence on a kidnap incident at about 9:30 p.m. on July 30 while on routine patrol.
The statement said the soldiers immediately pursued the kidnappers along their escape route, mounting sustained pressure that forced the criminals to abandon 11 of the abducted victims before fleeing into the surrounding forest.
It added that the troops launched a follow-up clearance operation on July 31, combing the forest and rescuing the remaining three victims, bringing the total number of those freed to 14.
According to the Army, all the rescued victims underwent preliminary debriefing and medical assessment and were confirmed to be in stable condition before being reunited with their families or allowed to continue their journeys.
The Army said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing kidnappers.
”The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s operational readiness, intelligence-driven approach, and unwavering resolve to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in close collaboration with other security agencies,” the statement said.
It appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that such support remained critical to sustaining operational successes and improving security across Edo State.
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their “professionalism, proactive posture, resilience, and courage” displayed during the operation.
He reassured residents of Edo State and commuters within the Brigade’s area of responsibility of the Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
Balogun further pledged that the Brigade would “continue to sustain aggressive operations aimed at denying criminal elements safe havens and ensuring a secure environment for all law-abiding citizens.”
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