Troops of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers during coordinated clearance operations across forests and criminal hideouts in parts of Edo State.
The operations, carried out under the code name Operation KO SALO, targeted notorious kidnapping enclaves in Owan East, Esan North-East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas.
The Army said the operation, which began on May 12, 2026, was conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesman of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, troops stormed Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest and Egoro Amede Village, where suspected criminal collaborators linked to kidnapping gangs were arrested.
The suspects identified as Ishaya Obadis, 20; Markus Ballu, 35; and Godknows Owonoji, 30, were apprehended at Olelo Forest.
Security operatives recovered two motorcycles and two mobile phones from the suspects.
According to the Army, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly supplied logistics to kidnapping gangs operating within the area.
The suspects were later handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation and possible prosecution.
In another raid, troops cleared Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani in Owan East Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of Bala Mahmood, 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 25.
Dangerous weapons and a Tecno mobile phone were recovered from the suspects.
Similarly, troops invaded Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East Local Government Area and the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area, where seven additional suspects were arrested.
The suspects 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.
Items recovered during the operation included one motorcycle and two itel mobile phones.
The suspects and exhibits were handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division for further action.
In a related operation, troops working with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes raided criminal camps in Emu Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area.
During the operation, security personnel 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 what he described as professionalism and resilience during the operations.
He charged the troops to sustain the offensive against criminal hideouts and kidnapping syndicates across Edo State.
Balogun also reassured residents of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property through continuous operations against criminal elements.
He urged members of the public to support security agencies with credible intelligence to aid ongoing operations.
The Brigade Commander further appreciated the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for providing strategic guidance and operational support that contributed to the success of the mission.
