Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade under 2 Division, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, have neutralised a suspected notorious kidnapper, rescued four abducted victims, and arrested another suspect during separate operations in Edo State.

The operations were conducted under Operation IGBO DANU 1 in Warake Forest, Auchi Local Government Area, and Ujemen in Esan West Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Capt. Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, said troops responded to reports of gunshots in Warake Forest on the night of March 3, 2026.

“Troops during Operation IGBO DANU 1, working alongside personnel from the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and local vigilantes, carried out a night operation in Warake Forest, Auchi Local Government Area,” the statement read.

“The troops responded to gunshots heard during a night patrol with aggressive pursuit and minimum use of firearms. The operation resulted in the neutralisation of a notorious kidnapper terrorising Auchi and environs. Remaining criminals abandoned their victims and fled into the bush.”

The Four victims includes: Stella Abbas (29), Tina Ododa (19), Razak Rashid (27), and Mutanibi Kalifa (16) were rescued unhurt and later reunited with their families. Items recovered from the neutralised suspect included ₦650,000 in cash, footwear, a power bank, and mobile phones.

In a separate operation on the same day, troops raided a suspected kidnapper’s hideout in Ujemen, Esan West Local Government Area, arresting 39-year-old Omogbegha Solomon. A shrine containing charms and photographs of various individuals was discovered in an abandoned room within the compound and destroyed on site. The suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Ekpoma Division, for further investigation.

Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, Commander of 4 Brigade, commended the troops for their efforts and urged them to sustain operations against criminal elements.

He reassured residents of the brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Edo State, in line with directives from Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, General Officer Commanding, 2 Division.