DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Soldiers rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Edo

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Nigerian Army troops rescued 14 kidnapped victims along the Lagos-Benin Expressway in Edo State.
  • The operation involved pursuing kidnappers, recovering 11 victims, and a subsequent forest search for the remaining three.
  • All rescued victims are in stable condition and have been reunited with their families, while efforts continue to apprehend the suspects.

Troops of the Nigerian Army's 4 Brigade have successfully rescued 14 individuals who were kidnapped along the Lagos-Benin Expressway in Edo State. The operation, part of Operation WABAIZIGAN, demonstrated the army's commitment to protecting lives and disrupting criminal activities.

The rescue operation was conducted at about 9:30 p.m. on 30 July 2026 after troops on routine patrol received credible intelligence on the kidnap incident.

— Lt. Col. Kennedy AnyanwuAssistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, detailing the start of the operation.

The rescue unfolded on the evening of July 30, 2026, after troops on patrol received intelligence about the kidnapping. They swiftly pursued the perpetrators, who eventually abandoned 11 victims and fled into the forest. A follow-up clearance operation the next day led to the successful recovery of the remaining three victims.

Acting swiftly and decisively, the troops immediately pursued the kidnappers along their withdrawal route, applying sustained pressure that forced the criminals to abandon 11 of the abducted victims and flee into the surrounding forest.

— Lt. Col. Kennedy AnyanwuDescribing the initial phase of the rescue operation.

Following preliminary debriefing and medical checks, all 14 rescued individuals were confirmed to be in stable condition. They have since been reunited with their families or allowed to continue their journeys. The army stated that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing kidnappers.

In a follow-up clearance operation conducted on 31 July 2026, the troops aggressively combed the forest and successfully rescued the remaining three victims, bringing the total number of rescued victims to 14.

— Lt. Col. Kennedy AnyanwuExplaining the completion of the rescue mission.

Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, Commander of the 4 Brigade, commended the troops for their professionalism and courage. He reassured the public of the brigade's commitment to security in Edo State and affirmed that operations will continue to deny criminals safe havens.

The commander further affirmed that the troops would continue to sustain aggressive operations aimed at denying criminal elements safe havens and ensuring a secure environment for all law-abiding citizens.

— Brig.-Gen. Ahmed BalogunReassuring the public about ongoing security efforts in Edo State.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog