Army Rescues 14 Kidnapped Passengers Along Lagos-Benin Expressway

​BENIN CITY — Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Operation WABAIZIGAN, have successfully rescued all 14 passengers who were abducted along the busy Lagos-Benin Expressway in Edo State.

​The operation, which spanned two intense days across the dense forests of Ovia North East Local Government Area, has been hailed as a textbook example of proactive, intelligence-driven military intervention.

​According to official military accounts released by the Brigade’s public relations department, the incident began at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 30. Troops conducting routine patrols received actionable intelligence regarding a fresh kidnapping operation along the critical transit corridor.

​Rather than adopting a passive stance, the military units immediately mobilized, tracking the criminals along their forest withdrawal route. Faced with aggressive pursuit and mounting tactical pressure, the abductors buckled, abandoning 11 of their captives before fleeing deeper into the heavy jungle canopy.

​Refusing to treat the partial recovery as a finalized mission, commanders ordered a continuous search. At daylight on July 31, soldiers re-entered the perilous terrain for a comprehensive follow-up clearance operation, systematically combing the brush until the remaining three victims were located and freed.

​Following preliminary medical evaluations and debriefings, the Army confirmed that all 14 survivors were in stable condition. They have since been safely reunited with their families or permitted to resume their respective journeys.

​Security analysts have pointed to the operation as a vital reminder of the efficacy of timely community intelligence reporting, emphasizing that prompt civilian cooperation remains a crucial deterrent against highway syndicates.

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​Reacting to the success of the mission, the Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their operational resilience, courage, and professionalism. He reassured commuters and residents of Edo State of the military’s unwavering resolve to secure major travel routes and deny criminal elements safe havens within the region.

​Meanwhile, military authorities have confirmed that ongoing intelligence and clearance patrols are actively tracking the fleeing perpetrators to bring them to justice.