4 Brigade Troops Smash Kidnap Syndicates, Nab 12 Suspects in Edo

The Nigerian Army has busted several kidnappers’ hideouts in Edo State and arrested 12 suspected kidnappers during coordinated clearance operations across parts of the state.

Troops of the 4 Brigade, under the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps, carried out the operations, which commenced on May 12, 2026, in Owan East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas of Edo State.

In a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin City, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, the operations were conducted under the code name “Operation KO SALO.”

According to Anyanwu, troops cleared Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and also conducted cordon-and-search operations at the Rugan Fulani settlement.

He disclosed that three suspected criminals ,Ishaya Obadis, 20; Markus Ballu, 35; and Godknows Owonoji, 30  were arrested at Olelo Forest.

Items recovered from the suspects included two motorcycles and two mobile phones.

 Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly served as collaborators and logistics suppliers to kidnappers operating in the area.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation and possible prosecution.

In a related development, Anyanwu said troops also cleared Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani, all located in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.

During the operation, two suspects identified as Bala Mahmood, 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 25, were arrested.

Recovered items included dangerous weapons and a small Tecno mobile phone.

Anyanwu stated that the suspects and recovered items were also handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.

He further disclosed that troops extended operations to Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East Local Government Area, as well as the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

According to him, seven suspected kidnappers  Isah Shehu, 25; Hamadu Safiyanu, 22; Tijani Shehu, 24; Yahaya Babangida, 25; Usman Hamza, 26; Abduladi Saleh, 23; and Gadafi Tukur, 27 were arrested during the operation within the Uwarlor-Oke Forest.

Items recovered from the suspects included one motorcycle and two itel mobile phones.

The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division for further action.

Anyanwu also revealed that troops, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and local vigilantes, conducted operations at Emu Forest in Emu, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

During the operation, troops carried out extensive searches at Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp, where one locally made long-barrel gun and one motorcycle were recovered.

The recovered items were deposited at the Ubiaja Police Division for further action.

He added that troops are continuing with ongoing operations aimed at ridding the state of criminal elements and dismantling kidnappers’ networks.

According to Anyanwu, the Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and charged them to sustain the operational tempo toward dismantling all kidnappers’ hideouts across Edo State.

He said the Commander also reassured residents of the Brigade’s unwavering commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at eradicating kidnapping and protecting lives and property.

Balogun urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations.

He further appreciated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his strategic guidance and support, which he said had contributed significantly to operational excellence.