Benin City, Nigeria — Troops of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers during coordinated clearance operations across forested areas in Edo State, in a sustained effort to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.
The operations, conducted under “Operation KO SALO” in collaboration with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps, began on May 12, 2026, targeting identified criminal hideouts across Owan East, Esan North-East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas.
According to a statement issued by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, troops carried out clearance operations in Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and conducted cordon-and-search missions at a Fulani settlement within the operational area.
During the raid at Olelo Forest, three suspected collaborators — Ishaya Obadis (20), Markus Ballu (35), and Godknows Owonoji (30) — were arrested. Two motorcycles and mobile phones were recovered from them. Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects acted as logistics suppliers for kidnapping syndicates operating in the area.
In separate operations at Ekeke Forest and surrounding settlements in Owan East, troops arrested two additional suspects identified as Bala Mahmood (70) and Ibrahim Abdullahi (25), recovering weapons and a mobile phone. These suspects were transferred to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation.
In a major breakthrough, troops also stormed Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East and Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East, where seven suspected kidnappers were arrested.
The suspects — Isah Shehu, Hamadu Safiyanu, Tijani Shehu, Yahaya Babangida, Usman Hamza, Abduladi Saleh, and Gadafi Tukur — were found with motorcycles and mobile phones allegedly linked to criminal operations. They have since been handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division.
In a related clearance effort, troops, working with police and local vigilantes, raided Emu Forest in Esan South-East, where two criminal camps — Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp — were searched. One locally made firearm and a motorcycle were recovered and deposited at the Ubiaja Police Division.
The Commander of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience, urging them to sustain pressure on criminal elements across Edo State.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property while encouraging residents to provide credible intelligence to support ongoing security operations.
Brigadier General Balogun also acknowledged the strategic guidance of the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, noting that inter-agency cooperation has strengthened the success of the operations.
