Tproops of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade, operating under the 2 Division Nigerian Army, have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and collaborators during coordinated clearance operations across several forest locations and rural communities in Edo State, as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks linked to kidnapping and violent crimes in the region. P
The operation, code-named Operation KO SALO, began on May 12, 2026, and was conducted jointly with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps. Military authorities said the exercise targeted criminal hideouts and suspected kidnapping camps in Owan East, Esan South-East, and parts of Esan North-East Local Government Areas.
According to a statement issued by Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 4 Brigade Nigerian Army in Benin City, troops carried out extensive clearance missions in Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, Camp Sule Rugan Fulani settlement, Uwarlor-Oke Forest, and the Udo Government Reserve Forest.
During operations at Olelo Forest, security forces arrested three suspects identified as Ishaya Obadis, 20, Markus Ballu, 35, and Godknows Owonoji, 30. Military authorities described the suspects as alleged collaborators and logistics suppliers to kidnapping syndicates operating within the area.
Items recovered from the suspects included two motorcycles and two mobile phones believed to have been used for operational communication and movement within the forest corridor. Preliminary investigations, according to the Army, linked the suspects to criminal support networks assisting kidnappers in the region.
In a separate operation conducted in Owan East Local Government Area, troops raided Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani settlement, leading to the arrest of Bala Mahmood, aged 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, aged 25. Authorities said dangerous weapons and a Tecno mobile phone were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
Further operations extended into Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East Local Government Area and the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area, where troops arrested seven additional suspects identified as Isah Shehu, 25, Hamadu Safiyanu, 22, Tijani Shehu, 24, Yahaya Babangida, 25, Usman Hamza, 26, Abduladi Saleh, 23, and Gadafi Tukur, 27.
Military officials said items recovered during the raids included motorcycles, mobile phones, and other materials suspected to be connected to kidnapping operations. The suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division and the Amendokhian Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.
The Commander of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended troops for what he described as professionalism and operational discipline throughout the exercise. He directed security personnel to sustain offensive operations until all identified criminal hideouts across Edo State are dismantled.
Balogun also reassured residents of the Army’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely intelligence capable of aiding ongoing operations.
Edo State has in recent years experienced increasing incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks, particularly along highways and remote forest communities where armed groups often establish camps used for abductions and ransom negotiations. Security agencies have repeatedly identified forested corridors across Edo North and Edo Central as strategic hideouts for criminal syndicates.
The latest operation follows earlier anti-kidnapping offensives conducted by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in Edo State. In February 2026, troops under Operation IGBO DANU 1 dismantled several kidnappers’ camps in Etsako West Local Government Area and arrested multiple suspects linked to kidnapping and drug-related crimes.
Security analysts say sustained intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration have become increasingly important in combating kidnapping networks operating across southern Nigeria, particularly in areas where forests provide cover for armed criminal groups.
Authorities maintain that operations against kidnappers and criminal gangs in Edo State will continue as part of broader national security efforts aimed at restoring safety along transport routes and within vulnerable rural communities.
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