By Sabiu Abdullahi
Troops of the Nigerian Army, working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local hunters and forest guards, have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued an abducted man in Edo State.
The operation took place on Sunday at Sasaro Forest in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, following intelligence reports about suspected kidnappers operating in the area.
Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the 4 Brigade in Benin City, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to Anyanwu, troops of the 195 Battalion (Rear) encountered the suspected kidnappers during the operation. The suspects allegedly opened fire when they sighted the advancing security team, triggering a gun battle that left three of them dead.
The troops rescued the abducted victim, identified as 44-year-old Prince Michael Akao.
Items recovered from the scene included three locally fabricated firearms, nine live cartridges, five mobile phones, two power banks, two cutlasses and two torchlights.
Other items were foodstuffs, two cooking pots, three food plates, a bottle of oil, two pairs of shoes, three pairs of bathroom slippers, a head warmer, three packs of cigarettes, suspected illicit drugs, charms, a bucket and clothing materials.
Anyanwu said Akao was taken to a hospital for medical attention and was confirmed to be in stable condition.
He 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 Igarra Division of the Nigeria Police Force for further necessary action.
The Army said the operation demonstrated its commitment to intelligence-led operations and efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.
Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, Commander of the 4 Brigade, commended the troops for their vigilance, courage, professionalism and prompt response during the encounter. He also praised the cooperation among the participating security agencies.
Balogun assured residents that the brigade would sustain operations against suspected kidnappers and other criminal groups in its area of responsibility.
He urged members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information, noting that community cooperation was essential to preventing crime and protecting lives and property.
