Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under the 2 Division as part of Operation WABAIZIGAN, have successfully rescued 14 kidnapped victims following a swift and coordinated response to a kidnap incident along the Lagos–Benin Expressway in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The successful operation highlights the Nigerian Army’s continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property while denying criminal elements the freedom to operate within its area of responsibility.
According to the Army, the rescue mission commenced at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, when troops on routine patrol received credible intelligence about an ongoing kidnap operation along the busy highway. Acting promptly on the information, the troops launched an immediate pursuit of the kidnappers along their escape route.
The sustained pressure mounted by the troops forced the armed criminals to abandon 11 abducted victims before fleeing into the surrounding forest.
Determined to ensure that no victim was left behind, the troops conducted a follow-up clearance operation on Friday, July 31, 2026, aggressively combing the forest and successfully rescuing the remaining three victims, bringing the total number of rescued persons to 14.
Following preliminary debriefing and medical examinations, all the rescued victims were confirmed to be in stable condition. They were subsequently reunited with their families or assisted to continue their respective journeys.
Security forces have since intensified efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing kidnappers.
The Nigerian Army said the operation underscores its operational readiness, intelligence-driven strategy, and unwavering resolve to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes through close collaboration with other security agencies.
The Army also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security operations by providing timely and credible information, noting that community cooperation remains essential to sustaining operational successes and improving security across Edo State and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Commander of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience, courage, and proactive response during the operation.
He reassured residents of Edo State and commuters along the Brigade’s area of responsibility of the Army’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property. Brigadier General Balogun further affirmed that troops would continue to sustain aggressive operations aimed at denying criminal elements safe havens and ensuring a secure environment for all law-abiding citizens.