JOINT SECURITY OPERATION FOILS KIDNAP GANG IN EDO, RESCUES THREE VICTIMS, NEUTRALISES TWO ARMED CRIMINALS
A joint security operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and local vigilante groups has led to the rescue of three kidnapped victims, the neutralisation of two armed criminals described as terrorists, and the recovery of weapons during an operation in Edo State.
According to the Nigerian Army, the operation followed the reported abduction of victims at Ambrose Alli University on 13 July 2026. Acting on credible intelligence, troops, alongside police personnel and local vigilantes, launched a coordinated pursuit of the suspected kidnappers into their hideout in Esan Local Government Area.
Security operatives reportedly engaged the suspects in a gun battle after making contact with the group. The exchange of fire resulted in the deaths of two members of the gang, while the remaining suspects abandoned the captives and escaped into the surrounding area under sustained security pressure. All three abducted victims were rescued without injury.
The joint team recovered three AK 47 rifles, 39 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, three mobile phones, and two power banks. The recovered exhibits have been taken into custody, while efforts continue to locate and arrest the fleeing suspects.
From a security perspective, the operation demonstrates the operational value of interagency cooperation and intelligence driven response in addressing kidnapping, which remains one of the most persistent violent crimes in parts of Nigeria. The swift pursuit of the suspects shortly after the abduction reduced the time available for the gang to relocate hostages, negotiate ransom demands, or establish defensive positions.
The recovery of multiple assault rifles also indicates that the group possessed substantial firepower, reinforcing concerns about the continued circulation of military grade weapons among criminal networks involved in kidnapping and organised violent crime.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustained collaboration with other security agencies and community based security partners to combat violent criminal groups. The military also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence capable of assisting security agencies in identifying criminal hideouts, arresting collaborators, and preventing future attacks.
