Benin City, Edo State — Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued a kidnapped victim and neutralised three suspects during a daring operation in Edo State, officials confirmed on Sunday.
According to a statement released by the military, the operation was launched following credible intelligence about the whereabouts of the victim, who had been held captive by armed men in an undisclosed location within the state.
"Troops acted swiftly on actionable intelligence and moved in to rescue the victim. In the ensuing encounter, three of the kidnappers were neutralised, while others fled with various degrees of gunshot wounds," the statement read.
The rescued victim, whose identity was withheld for security and privacy reasons, has been reunited with family members after undergoing medical checks.
Items recovered from the scene included weapons and other materials suspected to have been used in the abduction. The military did not disclose the exact quantity or types of arms seized, citing operational security.
The Army reiterated its commitment to flushing out criminal elements responsible for kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes across the country.
"We will continue to pursue these criminals wherever they hide. The safety of law-abiding citizens remains our top priority," the statement added.
Authorities have called on residents to provide timely information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation is critical to the success of operations against kidnapping syndicates.
The operation is the latest in a series of military interventions aimed at curbing kidnapping-for-ransom, which has remained a persistent security challenge in parts of Edo and neighbouring states.
Investigations are ongoing, and security operatives are reportedly on the trail of the fleeing suspects.
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