Troops Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Four Victims In Edo Operations

Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a suspected kidnapper, rescued four abducted victims and arrested another suspect during coordinated security operations in Edo State.

The operations were carried out by personnel of the Army’s 4 Brigade Nigerian Army in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps under Operation IGBO DANU 1.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations for the brigade, Kennedy Anyanwu.

According to the statement, the first operation took place in Warake Forest in Auchi Local Government Area after troops responded to reports of gunshots during a night patrol on March 3.

The troops, working alongside personnel from the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and local vigilantes, pursued the suspected kidnappers during the operation.

During the encounter, one suspected kidnapper believed to have been terrorising Auchi and surrounding communities was killed, while other members of the gang fled into the forest.

The Army said the fleeing criminals abandoned their captives during the confrontation, enabling troops to rescue four victims identified as Stella Abbas (29), Tina Ododa (19), Razak Rashid (27) and Mutanibi Kalifa (16).

All four victims were reportedly rescued unharmed and later reunited with their families.

Security operatives also recovered several items from the neutralised suspect, including ₦650,000 in cash, mobile phones, footwear and a power bank.

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In a separate operation the same day, troops raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Ujemen community in Esan West Local Government Area.

During the raid, a 39-year-old suspect identified as Omogbegha Solomon was arrested.

Troops also discovered a shrine containing charms and photographs of different individuals in an abandoned room within the compound.

The shrine was destroyed at the scene, while the suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at the Ekpoma Division for further investigation.

The Commander of the 4 Brigade, Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to sustain the offensive against criminal groups.

Balogun also reassured residents of Edo State of the Army’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.