Troops of the Nigerian Army under the 4 Brigade, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, have neutralised a notorious kidnapper, rescued four abducted victims and arrested a suspected criminal during separate operations in Edo State.
The development was disclosed in a statement by Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, in Benin City.
According to the statement, troops conducted a night operation after responding to gunshots heard in a forest area around Auchi. During the encounter, soldiers engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun battle, resulting in the neutralisation of a notorious criminal who had reportedly been terrorising the area.
The superior firepower of the troops forced the remaining criminals to flee the scene, abandoning their captives in the process. The soldiers successfully rescued four victims identified as Stella Abbas, 29; Tina Ododa, 19; Razak Rashid, 27; and Mutanibi Kalifa, 16.
Security operatives also recovered several items at the scene, including N650,000 in cash, footwear, a power bank and mobile phones believed to belong to the suspects.
In a separate operation conducted on March 3, 2026, troops working alongside other security agencies raided a residence in Ujemen, where they arrested a 39-year-old suspect identified as Omogbegha Solomon.
During the search of the property, troops reportedly discovered a shrine containing charms and photographs of various individuals in an abandoned room within the compound. The shrine was subsequently destroyed during the operation.
The suspect was later handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Ekpoma Division for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the 4 Brigade, Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and bravery. He urged them to sustain the ongoing offensive against criminal elements threatening peace and security in the state.
