The Edo State Government has launched a sweeping offensive against kidnappers and cultists, as the Special Security Squad, codenamed Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers, embarked on an extensive bush-combing operation across major flashpoints in the state.
In a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to Governor Owaen Fred Itua, the coordinated exercise, carried out under the direct supervision of the Governor’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Principal Security Officer (PSO), spanned Ovia North-East, Esan North-East, Esan West, and Esan South-East Local Government Areas. Particular focus was placed on the Benin–Akure Road corridor, a notorious hotspot where passengers of a New Edo Line bus were recently abducted.
During the operation, operatives recovered two locally made double-barrel guns and a live cartridge in Osa-Somba and Idunwingie communities of Ovia North-East. Abandoned hideouts suspected to have served as kidnapper camps were also uncovered in Ugboha forest. Security officials said the discoveries exposed the entrenched use of crude weapons and forest bases by kidnappers operating in the region.
A squad member, Mr. Eribo Emwanta, confirmed that the raids would be sustained, noting that Governor Monday Okpebholo was personally monitoring the progress. Another operative, Mr. Idemudia Noah, revealed that drones, military personnel, and advanced surveillance tools are now being deployed to track down criminals.
“We received distress calls from Ugboha people reporting kidnapping incidents, and we responded with massive combing of the forests. This administration is determined to ensure Edo is too unsafe for criminals. The message is clear: criminals must leave the state or face decisive action,” Noah declared.
Community leaders have expressed relief at the renewed offensive. The Okhighele of Eko-Ekpeti, Mr. Osaro Ehiozomwangie, alongside resident Mr. Ighodaro Michael, applauded the governor’s direct involvement in the operation. They stressed that kidnapping had become rampant along major routes and local hunters, who traditionally provided first-line defense, had been overstretched.
“We are happy to see the Governor take the lead in this fight. With greater support, we can ensure these criminals no longer terrorize our communities,” the leaders said, urging the government to provide logistics and mobility support to further strengthen grassroots collaboration.
In addition to forest raids, the squad staged a statewide show-of-force across several towns and communities, including Sobe, Ozalla, Iruekpen, Ekpoma, Ihunmudumu, Irrua, Idumu Ojiezua, Ivue/Obeidu, Eror, Arue-Uromi, Egbele, Amedokhian-Uromi, and Ugboha.
Officials explained that the visible presence of combined security forces was aimed at reassuring residents and deterring criminal networks. The multi-agency effort featured the army, police, and local vigilante groups trekking deep into forests in search of criminal hideouts.
Although no arrests were made during the initial sweep, authorities described the exercise as a preventive strike that disrupted kidnappers’ operations and dismantled potential camps before they could be reused.
Governor Okpebholo has repeatedly emphasized that his administration will give no breathing space to criminals. By integrating advanced technology, local knowledge, and coordinated security efforts, the government aims to break the cycle of abductions and restore confidence among residents and commuters across Edo State.
Security analysts note that the renewed strategy marks a shift from reactive policing to proactive countermeasures, a move that could significantly weaken the influence of criminal gangs entrenched in Edo’s forests.
For many communities, the intervention represents a turning point. The hope, they say, is that sustained pressure from the government will make Edo too hostile for kidnappers and cultists to thrive.
