…Ransom trap leads to gun battle as victim escapes unhurt with N1.5m recovered
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have killed a suspected kidnapper and rescued a 50-year-old farmer abducted from his farm in Edo State.
The operation, conducted under Operation KO SALO, took place at Onogholo in Esan South East Local Government Area of the state following intelligence on the abduction of Mr Lucky Egbiki at Okehussan, Ubiaja.
The Army said the victim was rescued at about 6 p.m. on August 6 after troops exploited ransom negotiations to lure members of the kidnapping gang to a predetermined location.
According to a statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Capt. Kennedy Anyanwu, one of the kidnappers arrived at the location to collect the ransom and was subsequently neutralised by the troops.
Other members of the gang reportedly fled into the surrounding forest, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
The troops then rescued Egbiki unhurt and recovered the N1.5 million ransom intended for his release.
The rescued farmer was handed over to his family after preliminary debriefing and medical assessment, with the Army confirming that he was in stable condition.
The security forces subsequently launched clearance operations in the surrounding forest on August 7 and 8 in an attempt to track the fleeing kidnappers, but no further contact was recorded.
The Army said the operation underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and inter-agency cooperation in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their courage, professionalism and proactive response.
Balogun assured residents that the Brigade would sustain aggressive operations against kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state, with the aim of denying them safe havens and protecting lives and property.
He also urged residents to continue providing security agencies with timely and credible information to support ongoing efforts to secure communities and safeguard farming and other legitimate economic activities across Edo State.
