Dare Babalola
Troops of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating under the 2 Division, have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers during coordinated clearance operations across parts of Edo State.
The Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu.
He said the operations were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps under a special exercise codenamed “Operation KO SALO.”
According to the statement, the operations, which commenced on May 12, 2026, targeted criminal hideouts and forests in Owan East, Esan South-East, and Esan North-East Local Government Areas of the state.
During the first phase of the operation, troops stormed Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and carried out cordon-and-search exercises at a Rugan Fulani settlement. Three suspects identified as Ishaya Obadis, 20; Markus Ballu, 35; and Godknows Owonoji, 30, were arrested at Olelo Forest.
Security operatives recovered two motorcycles and two mobile phones from the suspects. Preliminary investigations reportedly linked them to kidnapping gangs as collaborators and logistics suppliers. The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation.
In another operation in Owan East Local Government Area, troops cleared Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects, Bala Mahmood, 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 25.
Items recovered during the raid included dangerous weapons and a Tecno mobile phone. The suspects and recovered items were also transferred to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
The military further extended operations to Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East and the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area, where seven more suspected kidnappers were apprehended.
Those arrested 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.
Troops recovered a motorcycle and two itel mobile phones from the suspects, who were later handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division for further action.
In a separate operation carried out jointly with the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes, security operatives raided Emu Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area. Troops searched Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp, recovering a locally made long-barrel gun and a motorcycle.
The recovered items were deposited at the Ubiaja Police Division.
Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to sustain ongoing operations aimed at dismantling kidnappers’ hideouts across the state.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property and called on residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing security operations.
Balogun also appreciated the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his strategic guidance and support, which he said had enhanced operational effectiveness.
