In a recent operation, the Nigerian Army raided a known hideout of kidnappers located in Edo North Senatorial District, resulting in the arrest of 13 suspects and the recovery of arms, drugs, and other illegal items.
Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 4 Brigade, confirmed the development on February 5, 2026.
The operation, which took place on February 4, involved troops from the 4 Brigade in partnership with the Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Edo State Security Corps. It specifically targeted the communities of Osara, Auchi, and Okpella within the Etsako West Local Government Area.
The statement noted, “On February 4, 2026, troops from 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, Edo State Police Command, NSCDC, and the Edo State Security Corps, undertook a clearance mission named Operation IGBO DANU 1 designed to neutralize and eliminate kidnappers and rescue victims from the Osara Community in Etsako West Local Government Area, as well as Auchi and Okpella Communities in Edo North”.
During this operation, eight individuals suspected of kidnapping and illegal drug trafficking were apprehended.
The arrested suspects have been 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.
Among the items recovered were one English auto pump-action gun, four live cartridges, and a locally-manufactured pistol.
Other confiscated materials included a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, two machetes, a Nikon digital camera, two Android mobile phones, a metal hook, five bottles of codeine syrup, two weighing scales for Indian hemp, and quantities of various substances suspected to be cannabis, tramadol, ice, loud, and colos.
Additionally, a cash sum of ₦87,550 was seized. The detained individuals along with the recovered items have been entrusted to the Edo State Police Command for additional inquiries.
In a related incident, 4 Brigade troops, with the assistance of the Edo State Police Command, also conducted a search of the Aviele Forest in Etsako West Local Government Area to eliminate further threats from suspected terrorists and kidnappers.
During this operation, five more suspects—Isiaka Abubakar, 37; Mohammad Abubakar, 25; Yusuf Abubakar, 24; Mohammed Somu, 20; and Isiaka Ibrahim, 30—were detained. Items found with these individuals included two motorbikes, two Android phones, and a power bank.
These suspects and the items recovered have also been handed over to law enforcement for further investigation.
Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, Commander of the 4 Brigade, who oversaw the operations, praised the rapid response and collaboration among the various security agencies involved. He emphasized that Edo State would be an unwelcoming environment for terrorists and kidnappers to operate freely, reaffirming the Brigade's commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and properties in the region.
He also expressed his gratitude to Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, the General Officer Commanding the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, for his strategic guidance and support.
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