Troops of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers during a series of clearance operations across two local government areas in Edo State, the army announced on Monday.
The operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps, swept through Owan East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas beginning May 12, 2026, under a mission code-named Operation KO SALO.
In the first phase of the operation, soldiers cleared Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and conducted cordon-and-search operations at a Rugan Fulani settlement. Three suspects — Ishaya Obadis, 20, Markus Ballu, 35, and Godknows Owonoji, 30 — were arrested at Olelo Forest. Two motorcycles and two mobile phones were recovered from them. Investigators described the trio as collaborators and logistics suppliers to active kidnapping gangs.
Troops subsequently cleared Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani in Owan East LGA, where two more suspects, Bala Mahmood, 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 25, were apprehended with dangerous weapons and a mobile phone.
The dragnet then extended to Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East LGA and the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East LGA, where seven additional suspects were arrested: Isah Shehu, 25, Hamadu Safiyanu, 22, Tijani Shehu, 24, Yahaya Babangida, 25, Usman Hamza, 26, Abduladi Saleh, 23, and Gadafi Tukur, 27. A motorcycle and two mobile phones were recovered from the group.
In a separate but related operation, troops working alongside the Nigerian Police Force and local vigilantes searched Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp within Emu Forest in Esan South-East LGA, recovering a locally made long-barrel gun and a motorcycle.
All suspects and recovered items have been handed over to relevant police divisions — including Ekpoma, Amendokhian, and Ubiaja — for further investigation and prosecution.
Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, Commander of 4 Brigade, praised his troops for their conduct during the operations. “I commend the troops for their professionalism and charge them to sustain the operational tempo towards dismantling all kidnappers’ hideouts across Edo State,” he said.
Balogun also renewed the Brigade’s pledge to the public. “The Brigade remains unwavering in its commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at eradicating kidnapping and protecting lives and property,” he said, urging residents to continue sharing “timely and credible information” with security agencies.
The commander also acknowledged the strategic leadership of Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, General Officer Commanding 2 Division, saying his guidance “has fostered operational excellence.”
Troops, the army said, are continuing operations aimed at clearing the remaining criminal elements from the state.
