Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade have neutralised three suspected kidnappers and rescued an abducted victim during an intelligence-led operation in Sasaro Forest, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
The operation, conducted on October 11, 2026, involved troops of the 195 Battalion (Rear), working in collaboration with personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local hunters and forest guards.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, said the operation followed credible intelligence about the activities of suspected kidnappers operating in the area.
According to the statement, the suspects opened fire on the advancing security team after sighting the troops, prompting a gun battle.
The troops reportedly responded to the attack, neutralising three suspected kidnappers and rescuing the abducted victim, identified as 44-year-old Prince Michael Akao.
Items recovered during the operation included three locally fabricated firearms, nine live cartridges, five mobile phones, two power banks, two cutlasses and two torchlights.
Other recovered items were foodstuffs, cooking pots, food plates, clothing materials, shoes, bathroom slippers, cigarettes, illicit drugs, charms and other household materials.
The Army said the rescued victim was receiving medical attention at a hospital and had been confirmed to be in stable condition.
It added that the recovered items had been handed over to the DSS Command in Igarra, while the remains of the three suspects were transferred to the Nigeria Police Force, Igarra Division, for further necessary action.
The Commander of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their vigilance, courage, professionalism and prompt response during the operation.
Balogun also praised the cooperation among the participating security agencies, noting that inter-agency collaboration remained essential to the success of operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities.
He reassured residents of Edo State of the Brigade’s commitment to sustaining operations against kidnappers and other criminal elements within its area of responsibility.
The commander said the troops would continue to conduct 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.
He also urged members of the public to provide security agencies with timely, credible and actionable intelligence to support ongoing operations, prevent criminal activities and consolidate security gains.
The Army said the operation demonstrated its commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence gathering, sustained military pressure and collaboration with other security agencies.
