Nigerian troops kill kidnapper, rescue abducted farmer in Edo

Troops in Nigeria's Edo State have successfully rescued a kidnapped farmer and killed one of his abductors during a coordinated operation. The victim, Lucky Egbiki, 50, was taken from his farm in Ubiaja, Esan South-East Local Government Area.

Security forces employed a strategy of using ransom negotiations to draw the kidnappers into a trap. When the suspects arrived at a predetermined location to collect the payment, troops engaged them. During the exchange, one kidnapper was killed, prompting the others to abandon the victim and flee into the forest, some possibly injured.

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Troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued an abducted victim and killed a kidnapper during a coordinated operation in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The rescued farmer was found unharmed and received a preliminary medical assessment before being reunited with his family. The operation also resulted in the recovery of the 1.5 million naira intended as ransom. The Nigerian Army highlighted the operation as a testament to its readiness and intelligence-driven approach to fighting kidnapping and violent crime, emphasizing the value of inter-agency cooperation.

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During the encounter, one of the kidnappers who arrived at the location to collect the ransom was neutralised by the troops, forcing the other members of the gang to abandon the victim and flee into the surrounding forest, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.