Troops of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating under the 2 Division Nigerian Army, have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers during coordinated clearance operations across parts of Edo State.
The operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps, commenced on May 12, 2026, under the code name Operation KO SALO.
The operations targeted criminal hideouts and forests in Owan East, Esan North-East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas of the state.
The spokesperson of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, said the troops first cleared Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village and carried out cordon-and-search operations at the Rugan Fulani settlement.
Three suspected criminal collaborators identified as Ishaya Obadis, 20; Markus Ballu, 35; and Godknows Owonoji, 30, were arrested during the operation at Olelo Forest.
Items recovered from the suspects included two motorcycles and two mobile phones.
Preliminary investigations, according to the Army, revealed that the suspects allegedly served as logistics suppliers and collaborators for kidnapping gangs operating in the area.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.
In another operation, troops cleared Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani in Owan East Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects identified as Bala Mahmood, 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 25.
Security operatives recovered dangerous weapons and a Tecno mobile phone from the suspects, who were also transferred to the Ekpoma Police Division.
Besides, troops stormed Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East Local Government Area and the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area, where seven suspected kidnappers were arrested.
The suspects were identified as Isah Shehu, 25; Hamadu Safiyanu, 22; Tijani Shehu, 24; Yahaya Babangida, 25; Usman Hamza, 26; Abduladi Saleh, 23; and Gadafi Tukur, 27.
Recovered items from the operation included one motorcycle and two itel mobile phones.
The suspects and exhibits were handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division for further action.
Also, troops working alongside operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes carried out raids on criminal camps located in Emu Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area.
During the operation, security personnel searched Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp, recovering one locally made long-barrel gun and a motorcycle.
The recovered items were deposited at the Ubiaja Police Division for further investigation.
The Commander of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience during the operations.
He charged the personnel to sustain the operational momentum towards dismantling all criminal hideouts and kidnapping networks across Edo State.
Brigadier General Balogun also reassured residents of the Brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property through sustained offensive operations against criminal elements.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing operations.
