Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division and participating in Operation WABAIZIGAN, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims after launching a swift operation against suspected kidnappers along the Lagos–Benin Expressway in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The operation, carried out on the night of July 30, 2026, followed credible intelligence received by troops on routine patrol about a kidnap incident along the busy highway.
Acting immediately, the soldiers tracked the kidnappers along their escape route, mounting sustained pressure that forced the criminals to abandon 11 of their captives before fleeing into the surrounding forest.
Determined to rescue every victim, the troops launched a follow-up clearance operation on July 31, combing the forest and successfully rescuing the remaining three abductees, bringing the total number of rescued victims to 14.
The victims were medically assessed and debriefed before being confirmed to be in stable condition. They were subsequently reunited with their families or allowed to continue their journeys.
Military authorities said efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing kidnappers.
The Army said the successful operation highlights its operational readiness, intelligence-driven strategy, and commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in collaboration with other security agencies. It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to support ongoing security operations.
Commending the troops, Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, praised their professionalism, courage, resilience, and swift response during the rescue mission.
He reassured residents of Edo State and commuters along the Brigade’s area of responsibility that the Army remains committed to safeguarding lives and property, vowing to sustain aggressive operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements and denying them safe havens.
