Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under the 2 Division, have dismantled several suspected kidnappers’ hideouts and arrested 12 suspects during coordinated clearance operations across parts of Owan East and Esan South-East.
In a statement, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin City Captain Kennedy Anyanwu said the operations, conducted under “Operation KO SALO” and launched on 12 May 2026, were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps, targeting identified criminal enclaves across forests and settlements in the affected local government areas.
During early phases of the operation, troops cleared Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and conducted cordon-and-search activities at a Fulani settlement in the area. At Olelo Forest, three suspects—identified as Ishaya Obadis (20), Markus Ballu (35), and Godknows Owonoji (30)—were arrested. Two motorcycles and two mobile phones were recovered from them. Preliminary findings indicated that the suspects served as logistics suppliers and collaborators for kidnapping syndicates operating in the area. They have since been handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation.
In a related sweep, troops cleared Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, and Camp Sule Fulani settlement in Owan East, where two additional suspects—Bala Mahmood (70) and Ibrahim Abdullahi (25)—were arrested. Weapons and a Tecno mobile phone were recovered from them. The suspects and exhibits were transferred to the Ekpoma Police Division for further action.
Similarly, in sustained operations across Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East and Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East, troops arrested seven suspects allegedly linked to kidnapping activities. Those arrested include Isah Shehu (25), Hamadu Safiyanu (22), Tijani Shehu (24), Yahaya Babangida (25), Usman Hamza (26), Abduladi Saleh (23), and Gadafi Tukur (27). One motorcycle and two mobile phones were recovered and handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division for investigation and possible prosecution.
In a separate joint operation involving the Nigerian Police Force and local vigilantes at Emu Forest in Esan South-East, troops searched suspected camps at Otobo and Nnamdo, recovering one locally fabricated long-barrel firearm and a motorcycle. The items were deposited with the Ubiaja Police Division for further action.
The Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and sustained operational tempo, urging them to intensify efforts toward dismantling all criminal hideouts across Edo State. He also reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to ongoing offensive operations aimed at eliminating kidnapping networks and enhancing public safety.
He further encouraged residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, noting that community support remains critical to operational success. The Commander also expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his strategic guidance.
