A 50-year-old farmer, Mr Lucky Egbiki, has been rescued from kidnappers after soldiers and police used ransom negotiations to lure the gang into a trap in Edo State.
Egbiki was rescued unhurt at about 6pm on 6 August 2026, after troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, under 2 Division, working with the Nigeria Police Force, confronted the kidnappers at Onogholo in Esan South East Local Government Area.
The rescue was announced on Saturday, 8 August in a statement by Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin City, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu.
The security operation was based on information received about Egbiki’s abduction from his farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, in the same local government area.
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One kidnapper who came to collect the ransom was killed during the encounter. Other members of the gang abandoned Egbiki and fled into the surrounding forest, with some believed to have suffered gunshot wounds.
The troops recovered ₦1.5 million that had been prepared as ransom payment and took Egbiki for preliminary questioning and medical checks.
He was later handed over to his family after being confirmed to be in stable condition.
Kidnappers flee into forest
The security operation did not end with the farmer’s rescue.
Troops carried out clearance operations on 7 and 8 August, combing the surrounding forest in search of the fleeing kidnappers.
No further contact was made with the gang during the two-day search.
The abduction had taken place at Egbiki’s farm in Okehussan, Ubiaja, before the security forces used the ransom negotiation to arrange the meeting at Onogholo.
The operation involved both soldiers and police personnel, with the two security agencies working together to rescue the farmer.
The Army said the operation showed the importance of information in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.
It appealed to residents to provide timely, credible and useful information to security agencies.
The Army said such information was vital to security operations in the state.
Brigade promises more operations
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, praised the soldiers for their courage and professional conduct during the operation.
Balogun said the Brigade would continue operations against kidnappers and other criminal groups within its area of responsibility.
He also said troops would continue intelligence-led operations to deny criminal groups safe places to operate.
The Brigade said the operations would also protect lives and property and support a secure environment for farming and other lawful economic activities in Edo State.
The rescue came after the security forces had obtained information about Egbiki’s kidnapping and used the ransom negotiation to bring one of the kidnappers to the selected location.
The confrontation then allowed the troops to rescue Egbiki without injury and recover the money meant for his ransom.
The other members of the gang escaped into the forest as the security forces secured the victim.
The Army has asked residents of Edo State to keep providing information th at can assist security agencies in their operations.
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