The Nigerian Army's 4 Brigade in Benin has successfully rescued 14 kidnap victims following a coordinated operation along the Lagos-Benin Expressway. The victims, abducted in a Thursday night incident, were freed in two phases, with troops first recovering 11 individuals and then tracking down the remaining three in a forest clearance mission on Friday.
Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 4 Brigade, confirmed the rescue in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria. He detailed that the operation was executed by troops deployed for Operation WABAIZIGAN, a security initiative focused on the region. The rescue mission took place within the Ovia North-East Local Government Area section of the highway.
Intelligence-Led Pursuit Leads to First Rescue
According to Captain Anyanwu, the troops received credible intelligence about the kidnapping at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Thursday. The soldiers, already on routine patrol, immediately initiated a pursuit along the kidnappers' likely escape route. The tactical pressure exerted by the military force compelled the assailants to abandon 11 of their captives and flee into the dense surrounding forest.
“The sustained pressure mounted by the troops forced the kidnappers to abandon 11 abducted victims before fleeing into the surrounding forest,” he stated. Following this initial success, the army did not halt operations. Instead, a follow-up clearance operation was launched in the forest on Friday, which led to the rescue of the remaining three victims.
All Victims Stable and Reunited with Families
Captain Anyanwu confirmed that all 14 rescued individuals underwent preliminary debriefing and medical assessment. “All 14 rescued victims underwent preliminary debriefing and medical assessment and were confirmed to be in stable condition,” he said. He added that the victims had since been reunited with their families and were permitted to continue their respective journeys.
The successful operation underscores the army's operational readiness and its intelligence-driven approach to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes, Captain Anyanwu explained. He emphasised that this effort was carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, highlighting the importance of inter-agency cooperation in the fight against insecurity.
Commander Commends Troops, Vows to Sustain Operations
The Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brigadier-General Ahmed Balogun, praised the troops for their professionalism, resilience, and courage displayed throughout the operation. He reassured residents of Edo State and commuters using the Lagos-Benin Expressway that the brigade remains fully committed to protecting lives and property.
Brigadier-General Balogun pledged that troops would sustain aggressive operations to deny criminals any safe havens. He reiterated the military's determination to maintain a secure environment for law-abiding citizens, particularly along the busy highway corridor, which has witnessed recurring security incidents.
Captain Anyanwu also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies. He stressed that such cooperation is vital to supporting ongoing operations against criminal elements, noting that community intelligence played a key role in the successful outcome of this rescue mission.
The rescue operation adds to a series of military successes in the region, as the Nigerian Army intensifies efforts to curb kidnapping and banditry. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any arrests have been made, and Captain Anyanwu indicated that efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing kidnappers.
