In a bid to flush out kidnappers in Edo states Troops of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Edo State Security Corps, on 4 February 2026 conducted a clearance operation, code-named Operation IGBO DANU 1 invaded some communities in Edo North.
During the raid, which led to the neutralisation of some terrorists and kidnappers, thirteen of them were arrested while their victims regained freedom.
The communities where the kidnappers and the victims were rescued are Osara in Etsako West Local Government Area, as well as Auchi and Okpella Communities, all in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State.
The operation, which lasted several days, resulted in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and illicit drug peddlers.
However, the troops of 4 Brigade, in conjunction with the Edo State Police Command, also combed the Aviele Forest in Etsako West Local Government Area, all in a bid to flush out suspected terrorists and kidnappers.
The Commander of the 4th Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, who led the operations, commended the swift response and collaboration among the security agencies.
He warned that Edo State will be untenable for terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements to carry out their nefarious activities, reaffirming the Brigade’s commitment to safeguarding lives and properties in the state.
He expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his strategic guidance and support.
“The Brigade Commander identified the suspects as Jamilu Mohammad (25), Kasim Abu (33), Braimoh Affeez (31), Sulaiman Hamisu (36), Lawan Umaru (25), Bawa Auwal (24), Musa Umaru (40), and Amodu Attai (50).
Isiaka Abubakar (37), Mohammad Abubakar (25), Yusuf Abubakar (24), Mohammed Somu (20), and Isiaka Ibrahim (30) were arrested.
Items recovered from them include two motorcycles, two Android phones, and a power bank. The suspects and recovered items were also handed over to the police for further investigation.
Other Weapons recovered from the suspects are English Auto Pump-action gun, four live cartridges, and one locally made pistol, Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, two cutlasses, a Nikon digital camera, two Android phones, a metal hook, five bottles of codeine syrup, two Indian hemp weighing scales, and quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol, ice, loud and colos.
The sum of ₦87,550 was also recovered. The suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation.” The brigadier concluded.
