Troops of 4 Brigade under 2 Division, Nigerian Army, codenamed Operation IGBO DANU 1, in collaboration with Edo State Security Corps, have neutralised a suspected notorious kidnapper in Edo State.
This was as the troops also rescued four people kidnapped in Warake Forest and arrested a suspected kidnapper in separate operations in the state.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin City, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, stated these in a press release on Wednesday.
Troops, during Operation IGBO DANU 1, were working alongside personnel from the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and local vigilantes.
It was stated that the Operation IGBO DANU 1 was carried out a night operation on 3 March 2026 in Warake Forest, Auchi Local Government Area.
“The troops responded to gunshots heard in the forest during a night patrol with aggressive pursuit and minimum use of firearms.
“The gallant troops neutralised a notorious kidnapper that has been terrorising Auchi and environs during the encounter.
“The superior firepower of troops forced the remaining criminals to abandon their victims and flee into the bush.
“Four victims, including Stella Abbas (29), Tina Ododa (19), Razak Rashid (27) and Mutanibi Kalifa (16), were rescued unhurt and later reunited with their families.
“Items recovered from the neutralised kidnapper are cash amount of ₦650,000, footwear, power bank and mobile phones,” it was stated in the release.
In another operation on 3 March 2026, troops, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, raided a house in Ujemen, Esan West Local Government Area, suspected to be a kidnapper’s hideout.
A 39-year-old suspect, Omogbegha Solomon, was said to have been arrested during the raid.
“During the operation, troops discovered a shrine containing charms and photographs of various individuals in an abandoned room within the compound.
“The shrine was destroyed in-situ, and the suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Ekpoma Division for further investigation,” it was added in the release.
Meanwhile, the Commander, 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, has commended the troops for their dexterity.
He urged them to sustain the aggressive onslaught against all criminal elements in the state, in line with directives from the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife.
Brigadier General Balogun further reassured the residents of Edo State of the Brigade’s commitment towards the protection of lives and property in the state.
