By Ado Oyeyemi
Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, working with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued a 50-year-old farmer, Lucky Egbiki, from kidnappers in Edo State.
Egbiki was reportedly abducted while working on his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, in the Esan South-East Local Government Area of the state.
The rescue operation was carried out around 6pm on August 6, 2026, following intelligence received by the security agencies concerning the farmer’s abduction.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin City, Kennedy Anyanwu, disclosed the development in a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s X account on Saturday.
According to Anyanwu, the security agencies used ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location at Onogholo in the Esan South-East LGA.
He said troops and police operatives engaged the kidnappers after they arrived at the agreed location.
“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,” the statement said.
The Army added that some other members of the gang were believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the encounter.
Egbiki was subsequently rescued unharmed, while the N1.5m ransom reportedly intended for the kidnappers was recovered by the troops.
The rescued farmer was taken through preliminary debriefing and medical assessment before being reunited with his family. He was said to be in stable condition.
The Army said troops later conducted clearance operations in the surrounding forest on August 7 and 8 in an effort to locate the fleeing kidnappers.
However, the security personnel reportedly did not make further contact with the gang during the operation.
The Army described the successful rescue as evidence of the brigade’s intelligence-driven approach and operational readiness in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.
It urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities and apprehending perpetrators.
The statement said, “The people of Edo State are therefore encouraged to continue providing timely, credible and actionable information to security agencies, as such support remains vital to sustaining operational successes and enhancing security across the state.”
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their courage, professionalism and proactive response during the operation.
Balogun assured residents that the brigade would maintain pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.
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He added that the troops would continue with intelligence-led operations aimed at denying criminals safe havens, protecting lives and property, and creating a secure environment for farming and other legitimate economic activities across the state.
