By Kennedy Anyanwu
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade, working in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 13 suspected kidnappers and illicit drug peddlers during coordinated clearance operations across parts of Edo North Senatorial District.
The operations, conducted on 4 February 2026, were carried out under Operation IGBO DANU 1 and involved personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, the Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Edo State Security Corps.
According to a statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, the operation targeted criminal hideouts in Osara Community in Etsako West Local Government Area, as well as Auchi and Okpella communities.
During the exercise, eight suspects 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) were arrested.
Items recovered from the suspects included one English-made pump-action gun, four live cartridges, and a locally fabricated pistol. Security forces also seized a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, two cutlasses, a Nikon digital camera, two Android phones, a metal hook, five bottles of codeine syrup, weighing scales, and quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol, ice, loud and colos.
A cash sum of ₦87,550 was also recovered.
In a related operation, troops of 4 Brigade, in conjunction with the Edo State Police Command, raided the Aviele Forest in Etsako West Local Government Area, where five additional suspected kidnappers were arrested. The suspects were identified as Isiaka Abubakar (37), Mohammad Abubakar (25), Yusuf Abubakar (24), Mohammed Somu (20), and Isiaka Ibrahim (30).
Recovered items from the second operation included two motorcycles, two Android phones, and a power bank.
All suspects, along with recovered items, have been handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
The Commander, 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, who led the operations, commended the synergy among the participating security agencies and warned that Edo State would no longer be conducive for terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.
He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
Brigadier General Balogun also expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his strategic guidance and support.
Credit: Security Digest.
