Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully dismantled several kidnappers’ hideouts in the Edo North Senatorial District, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects and the recovery of weapons, illicit drugs, and other incriminating materials.The development was disclosed in a statement released on Friday by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu.
According to the statement, the operation was conducted on February 4 by troops of the 4 Brigade in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Edo State Security Corps. The joint security operation targeted criminal hideouts in Osara, Auchi, and Okpella communities within Etsako West Local Government Area.
Captain Anyanwu explained that the clearance mission, tagged Operation IGBO DANU 1, resulted in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and drug traffickers. Security operatives also recovered several items, including a pump-action rifle, live cartridges, a locally fabricated pistol, a Point of Sale (POS) machine, cutlasses, mobile phones, and a digital camera.
Additional items seized during the operation included bottles of codeine syrup, weighing scales, substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol, crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as ice), and cash amounting to ₦87,550.In a related operation, troops conducted a sweep of the Aviele Forest, described as a major criminal corridor in the region. The exercise led to the arrest of five additional suspects, while two motorcycles, mobile phones, and a power bank were also recovered.
The statement further confirmed that all arrested suspects, alongside the recovered exhibits, have been handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.Reacting to the successful operation, the Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brigadier-General Ahmed Balogun, praised the strong collaboration among security agencies. He reiterated that Edo State would remain unsafe for kidnappers and other criminal elements.
Brigadier-General Balogun also reaffirmed the Brigade’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property, while expressing appreciation to the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major-General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his strategic leadership and continued support.
