Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade, working alongside the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued a kidnapped farmer and killed one of his abductors during a joint operation in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The victim, 50-year-old Lucky Egbiki, was abducted from his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, before troops acted on credible intelligence to track and rescue him.
According to the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, the operation was executed at about 6 p.m. on August 6, 2026, when security operatives exploited ongoing ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined meeting point at Onogholo, within the same local government area.
A gun battle ensued when one of the kidnappers arrived to collect the ransom. The suspect was neutralised in the exchange, prompting the rest of the gang to abandon their captive and flee into a nearby forest. Security sources said some of the fleeing suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
Egbiki was rescued unhurt, and troops recovered ₦1.5 million that had been intended as ransom payment. He was later reunited with his family following a preliminary debriefing and medical check, and has been confirmed to be in stable condition.
Troops carried out a follow-up clearance operation on August 7 and 8, combing the forest around the area in search of the fleeing kidnappers, though no further contact was made with the gang.
The Commander of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops involved for their professionalism and courage, and assured residents of Edo State that the military would sustain pressure on kidnapping networks operating in the area.
He said the Brigade would continue intelligence-led operations aimed at denying criminal elements safe havens and protecting farmers and other residents engaged in legitimate economic activities across the state.
The Army also urged members of the public to keep providing timely and credible information to security agencies, describing such cooperation as critical to sustaining successful operations in Edo State.
