Troops of 4 Brigade under 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, have neutralised a suspected notorious kidnapper, rescued four abducted persons and arrested another suspect during separate operations in Edo State.
The operations were conducted under Operation IGBO DANU 1, with troops working alongside personnel from the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and local vigilantes. According to military authorities, a night operation was carried out on March 3, 2026, in the Warake Forest area of Auchi Local Government Area following reports of gunshots during routine patrol.
Security forces engaged the suspected criminals in the forest, leading to an exchange during which one alleged kidnapper was neutralised. The remaining suspects reportedly fled the scene, abandoning their captives. Four victims identified as Stella Abbas, 29; Tina Ododa, 19; Razak Rashid, 27; and Mutanibi Kalifa, 16, were rescued unharmed and later reunited with their families.
Items recovered at the scene included ₦650,000 in cash, footwear, a power bank and mobile phones believed to belong to the fleeing suspects.
In a separate operation on the same day, troops in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps raided a residence in Ujemen, Esan West Local Government Area, suspected to be a criminal hideout. A 39-year-old suspect, Omogbegha Solomon, was arrested during the raid.
Security operatives also reported discovering a shrine in an abandoned room within the compound, containing charms and photographs of individuals. The structure was destroyed at the location, 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 the operation and urged them to maintain momentum in ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities in the state. He reiterated the Brigade’s commitment, in line with directives from the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, to ensure the protection of lives and property across Edo State.
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