Army arrests 12 suspected kidnappers in Edo clearance operations
Abdullateef Fowewe
Troops of 4 Brigade, under 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, have arrested a total of 12 suspected kidnappers during a series of clearance operations that began on 12 May 2026 in Owan East and Esan South‑East local government areas of Edo State, the Army said on Wednesday.
In a statement obtained by Dailyeconomy, the Army said the operation—code‑named Operation KO SALO—saw troops, working with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps, clear multiple forests and settlements where suspected criminal elements were believed to be hiding.
“Troops of 4 Brigade, under 2 Division Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps, arrested a total of 12 suspected kidnappers during clearance operations that started on 12 May 2026 in Owan East and Esan South‑East Local Government Areas of Edo State,” the statement read.
The Army said three suspects—identified as Ishaya Obadis (20), Markus Ballu (35) and Godknows Owonoji (30)—were arrested at Olelo Forest, where two motorcycles and two mobile phones were recovered.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were collaborators and logistics suppliers to kidnappers,” the statement added; the three were handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division.
Further operations in Owan East led to the arrest of Bala Mahmood (70) and Ibrahim Abdullahi (25) at Ekeke Forest, where the troops recovered dangerous weapons and a Tecno phone.
Those suspects were also handed to the Ekpoma Police Division for investigation and prosecution.
In Esan North‑East and Esan South‑East, troops cleared Uwarlor‑Oke Forest and the Udo Government Reserve Forest, arresting seven more suspects—Isah Shehu (25), Hamadu Safiyanu (22), Tijani Shehu (24), Yahaya Babangida (25), Usman Hamza (26), Abduladi Saleh (23) and Gadafi Tukur (27).
The Army said one motorcycle and two itel phones were recovered and the suspects were handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division.
Operations at Emu Forest in Esan South‑East, conducted alongside the Nigerian Police Force and local vigilantes, produced a locally made long‑barrel gun and a motorcycle after searches of Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp; recovered items were taken to Ubiaja Police Division.
The Commander of 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, praised the troops for their “professionalism” and urged them to sustain the offensive tempo.
He also reassured the public of the Brigade’s commitment to “eradicating kidnapping and protecting lives and property,” and appealed to residents to keep providing “timely and credible information to security agencies.”
Brigadier General Balogun additionally “appreciated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife for his strategic guidance and support which he said has fostered operational excellence,” the statement concluded.
