By Bavoriat Clara
A major crackdown on criminal networks in Edo North has led to the arrest of 13 suspected kidnappers and drug peddlers, as troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by sister security agencies, stormed notorious hideouts in a coordinated operation that sent a clear warning to criminals operating in the state.
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade, working in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, the Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Edo State Security Corps, conducted the clearance operation, codenamed Operation IGBO DANU 1, on 4 February 2026. The operation targeted Osara Community in Etsako West Local Government Area, as well as Auchi and Okpella communities, all within Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State, with the objective of flushing out kidnappers, terrorists and other criminal elements.
In a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, eight suspects were arrested during the first phase of the operation. Those arrested were identified 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).
Recovered from the suspects were one English-made pump-action gun, four live cartridges, and one locally fabricated pistol.
Also seized were a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, two cutlasses, a Nikon digital camera, two Android phones, a metal hook, five bottles of codeine syrup, two weighing scales used for Indian hemp, and quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol, ice, loud and colos. The sum of ₦87,550 was equally recovered.
The statement added that all suspects and recovered exhibits were handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
In a related development, troops of 4 Brigade, in conjunction with personnel of the Edo State Police Command, carried out a separate raid in the Aviele Forest area of Etsako West Local Government Area as part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts.
During the forest operation, five additional suspects identified as Isiaka Abubakar (37), Mohammad Abubakar (25), Yusuf Abubakar (24), Mohammed Somu (20), and Isiaka Ibrahim (30) were arrested. Items recovered from them included two motorcycles, two Android mobile phones, and a power bank. The suspects and recovered items were also handed over to the police.
Leading the operations, the Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the swift response and seamless collaboration among the security agencies involved. He warned that Edo State would no longer be a safe haven for terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements.
Brigadier General Balogun reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his strategic guidance and support.
admin