Edo: Troops Kill Kidnapper, Rescue Farmer During Ransom Collection
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have killed a suspected kidnapper and rescued a 50-year-old farmer, Lucky Egbiki, during a ransom collection operation in Edo State.
The security forces also recovered N1.5 million allegedly meant as ransom for the abducted farmer following the intelligence-driven operation in Esan South East Local Government Area of the state.
Egbiki was kidnapped at his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, before troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, under 2 Division, in conjunction with police personnel, moved to secure his release.
According to the Army, the security forces exploited ransom negotiations to lure members of the kidnap gang to a predetermined location at Onogholo, also in Esan South East LGA.
The operation, which took place at about 6pm on August 6, resulted in a confrontation between the troops and the criminal elements when one of the kidnappers arrived at the location to collect the ransom.
During the encounter, troops neutralised the suspected kidnapper, forcing other members of the gang to abandon their victim and flee into the surrounding forest.
Some of the fleeing criminals were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter, the Army said.
The troops subsequently secured the area and rescued Egbiki unhurt, while recovering the N1.5 million ransom that had been taken to the location for the victim’s release.
The rescued farmer was later handed over to his family after preliminary debriefing and medical assessment. He was confirmed to be in stable condition.
The Army, however, continued its efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.
It said troops conducted follow-up clearance operations on August 7 and 8, combing the surrounding forest in an attempt to track the fleeing kidnappers.
The operation did not yield further contact with the criminals, who had escaped into the forest after abandoning their victim.
The successful rescue came amid sustained military and inter-agency efforts to tackle kidnapping and other forms of violent crime threatening communities and economic activities in Edo State.
The Army described the operation as another demonstration of the troops’ operational readiness and intelligence-driven approach to combating criminal elements in the state.
It also highlighted the role of collaboration between the military and police in strengthening the effectiveness of security operations, particularly in responding to kidnapping incidents.
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their proactiveness, courage and professionalism during the operation.
Balogun assured residents of the Brigade’s determination to sustain pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.
He said troops would continue to conduct aggressive and intelligence-led operations aimed at denying criminals safe havens, protecting lives and property and restoring confidence among residents.
The Commander also stressed the importance of public cooperation in the fight against kidnapping, urging residents of Edo State to provide security agencies with timely, credible and actionable information.
According to him, such information remains critical to enabling security forces to disrupt criminal networks and prevent them from establishing safe havens within communities.
The Brigade further said its sustained operations would support a secure environment for farming and other legitimate economic activities across Edo State.
By TimesNG