Troops of 4 Brigade, under 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, have neutralised a notorious kidnapper, rescued four abducted victims, and arrested a suspected kidnapper in separate operations across Edo State.
The operations were conducted under Operation IGBO DANU 1.
According to a statement, troops working alongside personnel of the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and local vigilantes carried out a night operation on March 3, 2026, in Warake Forest, Auchi Local Government Area.
The troops reportedly responded to gunshots heard during a night patrol and engaged the suspected kidnappers with what was described as controlled firepower.
During the encounter, a notorious kidnapper said to have been terrorising Auchi and surrounding communities was neutralised, while other members of the gang fled into the forest.
Four kidnapped victims — Stella Abbas (29), Tina Ododa (19), Razak Rashid (27), and Mutanibi Kalifa (16) — were rescued unhurt and later reunited with their families.Items recovered at the scene included N650,000 in cash, mobile phones, a power bank, and footwear.
In a separate operation the same day, troops in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps raided a suspected kidnapper’s hideout in Ujemen, Esan West Local Government Area.A 39-year-old suspect, Omogbegha Solomon, was arrested during the raid.
Troops also discovered a shrine containing charms and photographs of various individuals in an abandoned room within the compound.
The shrine was destroyed on site, while the suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Ekpoma Division, for further investigation.
The Commander of 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to sustain the ongoing offensive against criminal elements in line with directives from the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife.
He reassured residents of Edo State of the Brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.