Crime, News

Edo Troops Kill Kidnapper, Rescue Four Victims in Warake Forest

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 5th, 2026.

Troops of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, working alongside the Edo State Security Corps, have neutralised a suspected kidnapper and rescued four victims in Warake Forest, Etsako West Local Government Area. In a separate operation, security forces also apprehended another suspected kidnapper in Edo State.

According to a statement by Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the Brigade, the operation took place on the night of March 3, 2026, as part of Operation IGBO DANU 1. Troops, in collaboration with personnel from the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and local vigilantes, responded to gunshots heard during a night patrol.

“The troops pursued the criminals with precision, using minimal firearms, and successfully neutralised a notorious kidnapper who had been terrorising Auchi and surrounding communities. The remaining assailants abandoned their victims and fled,” the statement read. Four individuals namely Stella Abbas, (29yrs)Tina Ododa, (19yrs) Razak Rashid, (27yrs) and Mutanibi Kalifa, (16yrs) were rescued unharmed and later reunited with their families. Recovered items included ₦650,000 in cash, footwear, a power bank, and mobile phones.

In a separate raid, troops, in coordination with the Edo State Security Corps, targeted a suspected kidnapper hideout in Ujemen, Esan West Local Government Area. A 39-year-old man, Omogbegha Solomon, was arrested. During the operation, security personnel discovered a shrine containing charms and photographs of several individuals, which was destroyed on site. The suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Ekpoma Division for further investigation.

Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, Commander of 4 Brigade, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to maintain pressure on criminal elements. He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in Edo State, in line with directives from Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, General Officer Commanding 2 Division.