CoAS, Shaibu. Photo: File
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with personnel of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, local hunters and forest guards, have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued an abducted victim in Edo State.
The operation was conducted on Sunday, at Sasaro Forest in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin City, Kennedy Anyanwu, said the operation was carried out by troops of the 195 Battalion (Rear), following credible intelligence about the activities of suspected kidnappers operating in the area.
According to the statement, the troops encountered the suspected kidnappers, who allegedly opened fire on sighting the advancing security team.
The troops, however, responded to the attack, leading to a firefight in which three suspected kidnappers were killed and the abducted victim rescued.
The victim was identified as 44-year-old Prince Michael Akao.
Items recovered during the operation included three locally fabricated firearms, nine live cartridges, foodstuffs, two torchlights, two cutlasses, five mobile phones, two power banks, two cooking pots and three food plates.
Other recovered items were a bottle of oil, two pairs of shoes, three pairs of bathroom slippers, a head warmer, three packs of cigarettes, suspected illicit drugs, charms, a bucket and clothing materials.
Anyanwu said the rescued victim had been taken to a hospital for medical attention and was confirmed to be in stable condition.
He added that the recovered items had been handed over to the DSS command in Igarra, while the remains of the deceased suspects had been handed over to the Igarra Division of the Nigeria Police Force for further necessary action.
The statement said the operation underscored the Nigerian Army’s operational readiness, commitment to intelligence-led operations and determination to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.
It also highlighted the importance of collaboration among security agencies in strengthening operations and achieving sustainable results in the fight against criminality.
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their vigilance, courage, professionalism and prompt response during the encounter.
He also praised the collaboration among the participating security agencies, noting that their joint efforts contributed to the success of the operation.
Balogun reassured residents of Edo State of the brigade’s commitment to sustaining pressure on suspected kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within its area of responsibility.
He said troops would continue to conduct aggressive, intelligence-driven operations to deny criminals safe havens, protect lives and property, and create a secure environment for farming, commerce and other legitimate economic activities across the state.
The commander also urged members of the public to continue providing timely, credible and actionable intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remained essential to preventing criminal activities and consolidating security gains across Edo State.