Nigerian Army Rescues 14 Kidnapped Victims in Edo State

Published Date: July 31, 2026. Publisher: DocuNews Central

In a demonstration of operational readiness and swift tactical response, troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under the 2 Division, have successfully rescued 14 travelers abducted by suspected kidnappers in Edo State. The rescue, executed as part of the ongoing *Operation WABAIZIGAN*, took place along the notorious Lagos–Benin Expressway in the Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state.

The successful interception and subsequent forest clearance operations underscore the military’s renewed intelligence-driven approach to combating the scourge of highway kidnapping that has plagued several transit corridors in the South-South and South-West regions of Nigeria.

The Abduction: A Nighttime Ambush on the Expressway

According to military authorities and official statements, the incident unfolded on the evening of Thursday, July 30, 2026. At approximately 9:30 p.m., a group of 14 travelers commuting through the Igueze community axis along the Lagos-Benin Expressway was suddenly ambushed by heavily armed gunmen. The assailants forced the vehicles to a halt, disarming and rounding up the terrified passengers under the cover of darkness.

The kidnappers’ modus operandi—striking late at night along isolated stretches of the expressway—is a known tactic aimed at moving captives quickly into the dense, ungoverned forest reserves bordering the highway before security agencies can mount a coordinated response. The objective is typically to hold the victims in remote bush camps while initiating ransom demands from their distressed families.

The Immediate Response: Intelligence and Sustained Pursuit

However, the kidnappers’ plans were abruptly thwarted. Troops of the 4 Brigade on routine patrol in the vicinity received credible, real-time intelligence regarding the ongoing attack. Acting swiftly and decisively, the military units mobilized and immediately tracked the abductors along their withdrawal route into the bush.

A statement signed by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 4 Brigade in Benin City, Lt. Col. Kennedy Anyanwu, detailed the intensity of the initial encounter. The troops applied sustained tactical pressure on the fleeing syndicate. Faced with the aggressive pursuit and superior firepower of the advancing soldiers, the kidnappers panicked.

Unable to maintain control of all their hostages while evading the military dragnet, the criminals were forced to abandon 11 of the abducted victims in the bush on Thursday night, scattering deeper into the surrounding forest to save themselves.

The Follow-Up: Combating the Forest and Total Rescue

The operation did not conclude with the recovery of the first 11 victims. Recognizing that three individuals remained in the custody of the fleeing bandits, the military command authorized an immediate follow-up clearance operation at first light on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Troops aggressively combed the dense forest terrain of Ovia North East LGA, tracking the remnants of the kidnapping cell. The intensive search yielded results, leading to the successful location and safe extraction of the remaining three victims, bringing the total number of rescued persons to 14.

“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. Anyanwu confirmed in the official press release. “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. In a follow-up clearance operation conducted on 31 July 2026, the troops aggressively combed the forest and successfully rescued the remaining three victims.”

Post-Rescue Protocols and Ongoing Manhunt

Following their harrowing ordeal, military authorities ensured that all 14 rescued victims underwent preliminary medical assessments and thorough debriefing sessions. These standard operating procedures are critical for evaluating the physical and psychological well-being of the victims, as well as extracting any actionable intelligence regarding the identities, numbers, and operations of the kidnappers.

The Army confirmed that all the rescued individuals were in a stable condition. Following their medical clearance, they were subsequently safely reunited with their families or allowed to continue their respective journeys, bringing a profound sense of relief to their anxious relatives.

Meanwhile, the pursuit of the perpetrators continues. The military has confirmed that active efforts are currently ongoing to track down, apprehend, and prosecute the fleeing suspects who escaped the initial firefight. The area remains under heavy surveillance as troops seek to deny the criminal elements any safe havens within the state.

Commendations and the Path Forward

The successful execution of this rescue mission has drawn praise for the military’s dedication. The Commander of the 4 Brigade, Ahmed Balogun, specifically commended the troops involved in *Operation WABAIZIGAN* for their high level of professionalism, resilience, and raw courage displayed during the high-stakes operation.

Commander Balogun utilized the opportunity to reassure the residents of Edo State, as well as commuters traveling within the Brigade’s area of responsibility, of the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property. He emphasized that the military would maintain sustained operations to proactively dismantle criminal networks and secure the region’s highways.

The military high command also stressed the vital role of civilian cooperation in maintaining regional security. They described the success of the Edo operation as a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of an intelligence-driven approach to tackling violent crimes. Consequently, the Army strongly urged the general public to continue providing timely, credible, and actionable information to security agencies to support their ongoing efforts to eradicate kidnapping across Edo State and the broader nation.

Citizens monitoring national security directives, federal legislative reforms, and public safety announcements can consult the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Portal.

Official defense releases, military operational updates, and counter-terrorism briefings are published regularly on the Federal Ministry of Information Portal.

DocuNews Central will continue to monitor regional security deployments, defense updates, and grassroots law enforcement efforts across all transit corridors.

Also read Zero-Tolerance Policy: “No Ransom, No Negotiation”- Tinubu

DNC

Written by Jonadab Oluikpe | DocuNews Central

The DocuNews Central Desk delivers investigative reporting, grassroots policy updates, and fact-checked news to keep citizens informed with accurate, actionable truth across the nation.