Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, local hunters and forest guards, have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued a 44-year-old abducted man in Edo State.
The operation was carried out on October 11 at Sasaro Forest in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin City, Kennedy Anyanwu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Anyanwu said the operation was conducted by troops of the 195 Battalion (Rear) following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers operating in the area.
The statement read, “Troops of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under 2 Division, in collaboration with personnel of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, local hunters and forest guards, have neutralised three suspected notorious kidnappers on October 11.
“The operation, conducted by 195 Battalion (Rear) on 11 October 2026, followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers operating within the area.
“During the operation, the troops made contact with the notorious kidnappers, who immediately opened fire on sighting the advancing security team.”
He added, “However, the troops responded decisively to counter the attack. The ensuing firefight resulted in the neutralisation of three suspected kidnappers and the successful rescue of the abducted victim, identified as 44-year-old Prince Michael Akao.
“Items recovered during the operation included three locally fabricated firearms and nine live cartridges. Others were foodstuffs, two torchlights, two cutlasses, five mobile phones, two power banks, two cooking pots, three food plates, a bottle of oil, two pairs of shoes, three pairs of bathroom slippers, a head warmer, three packs of cigarettes, illicit drugs, charms, a bucket and clothing materials.”
According to the statement, the rescued victim was receiving medical attention at a hospital and had been confirmed to be in stable condition.
Anyanwu said the recovered items had been handed over to the DSS Command in Igarra, while the remains of the neutralised suspects had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Igarra Division, for further necessary action.
The statement added, “The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s operational readiness, commitment to intelligence-led operations and determination to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.
“It also highlights the importance of effective inter-agency collaboration in strengthening security operations and achieving sustainable results in the fight against criminality.”
The Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their vigilance, courage, professionalism and prompt response during the encounter with the suspected kidnappers. He also appreciated the collaboration among security agencies, which contributed to the success of the operation.
The commander reassured the people of Edo State of the brigade’s commitment to sustaining pressure on kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.
He further emphasised that troops would continue to conduct aggressive, intelligence-driven operations to deny criminals safe havens, protect lives and property and create a secure environment for farming, commerce and other legitimate economic activities across the state.
The commander also called on members of the public to continue providing timely, credible and actionable intelligence to security agencies.
He stressed that such cooperation remained essential to strengthening ongoing operations, preventing criminal activities and consolidating security gains across Edo State.
Recall that on October 2, troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 16 terrorists in a coordinated ambush on a terrorist enclave in the Boima general area of Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The Nigerian Army also revealed that it lost three soldiers in terrorist attacks that occurred concurrently at troop locations in 226 Battalion, Garkida and 232 Battalion, Garaha.https:///troops-kill-16-terrorists-lose-three-soldiers-in-adamawa/