Soldiers from the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, successfully freed 14 individuals who had been abducted along the Lagos–Benin Expressway in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The rescue mission, part of Operation Whirl Stroke, was launched late on July 30 after soldiers on patrol received reliable information.
Capt. Kennedy Anyanwu, the spokesperson for the 4 Brigade, reported that troops pursued the abductors, who left 11 victims behind before escaping into the woods. A secondary search conducted on July 31 led to the recovery of three additional hostages. All victims underwent medical evaluations, were declared stable, and have since rejoined their families or resumed travel.
Authorities are continuing their search for the suspects. Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, commander of the 4 Brigade, praised his troops for their bravery and commitment. He emphasized that the military remains dedicated to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring safety for all citizens, while encouraging the public to keep sharing relevant information with security services.
