Troops Dismantle Kidnappers’ Hideouts, Arrest 13 Suspects in Edo

Troops of the Nigerian Army have dismantled kidnappers’ hideouts in Edo North Senatorial District, arresting 13 suspects and recovering arms, drugs, and other incriminating items.

The acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Capt. Kennedy Anyanwu, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday.

Anyanwu said the operation, conducted on February 4 by 4 Brigade troops in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Edo State Security Corps, targeted the communities of Osara, Auchi, and Okpella in Etsako West Local Government Area.

He explained that the clearance exercise, codenamed Operation IGBO DANU 1, led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and drug peddlers.

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“Items recovered included a pump-action gun, live cartridges, a locally made pistol, a POS machine, cutlasses, mobile phones, a digital camera, codeine syrup, weighing scales, substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol and ice, as well as ₦87,550 cash,” he said.

In a related operation, the troops combed Aviele Forest, a known criminal corridor in the area, arresting five additional suspects and recovering two motorcycles, mobile phones, and a power bank.

“The suspects and recovered exhibits were handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution,” Anyanwu added.

Commenting on the operations, the Commander of 4 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, commended the collaboration among security agencies and warned that Edo State would remain hostile to kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Balogun reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property and expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, for his “strategic guidance and support.”