BENIN – Troops of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under Operation WABAIZIGAN, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims along the Lagos–Benin Expressway in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Army authorities said the rescue was carried out at about 9:30pm on Wednesday, July 30, 2026, after troops on routine patrol received credible intelligence on a kidnap incident.
According to a statement signed by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, on Thursday, the troops immediately pursued the kidnappers along their withdrawal route. The pressure forced the criminals to abandon 11 of the victims and flee into the forest.
In a follow-up clearance operation on Thursday, July 31, troops combed the forest and rescued the remaining three victims, bringing the total to 14.
The Army said all the victims were in stable condition after preliminary medical assessment and debriefing. They have since been reunited with their families or allowed to continue their journeys. Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing kidnappers.
The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience. He reassured residents and commuters of the Brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property, and vowed to sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements.
The Army also urged members of the public to continue providing timely information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.
Troops Rescue 14 Kidnap Victims on Lagos-Benin Expressway in Edo
