Troops of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division and participating in Operation WABAIZIGAN, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims following a swift counter-kidnapping operation along the Lagos–Benin Expressway in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The rescue operation was carried out after troops on routine patrol received credible intelligence at about 9:30 p.m. on July 30, 2026, that armed kidnappers had abducted travellers along the busy highway.
According to a statement issued on Friday night by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Capt. Kennedy Anyanwu, troops immediately pursued the kidnappers along their escape route, forcing them to abandon 11 of the victims as they fled into the surrounding forest under sustained.
The Army said troops subsequently launched a follow-up clearance operation on July 31, during which they combed the forest and rescued the remaining three victims, bringing the total number of those rescued to 14.
The military said all the rescued victims were confirmed to be in stable condition.
They were later reunited with their families or allowed to continue their journeys.
The military disclosed that efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing kidnappers.
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It described the operation as another demonstration of the Nigerian Army’s intelligence-driven approach and commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes in collaboration with other security agencies.
The Army also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that public support remains crucial to sustaining operational successes and improving security across the state.
Commending the troops, the Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Balogun, praised their professionalism, courage and resilience during the operation.
He reassured residents of Edo State and commuters using the Lagos–Benin Expressway of the Brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that troops would continue aggressive operations aimed at denying criminal elements safe havens and ensuring a secure environment for law-abiding citizens.
