Troops of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers in the Edo North and Edo Central senatorial districts. The arrests were made during separate operations in the Owan East, Esan South-East, and Esan North-East Local Government Areas of Edo State.
Arrests in Olelo Forest and Other Locations
According to a statement by Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 4 Brigade, three suspects—Ishaya Obadis (20), Markus Ballu (35), and Godknows Owonoji (30)—were arrested at Olelo Forest. The troops conducted clearing operations at Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, and Egoro Amede Village, as well as cordon-and-search operations at the Rugan Fulani settlement.
Additional Suspects Apprehended
Further operations in Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani, all in Owan East Local Government Area, led to the arrest of two more suspects: Bala Mahmood (70) and Ibrahim Abdullahi (25). Preliminary investigations revealed that the three suspects arrested at Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and the Rugan Fulani settlement were collaborators and logistics suppliers to kidnappers.
Recovered Items
Items recovered from the suspects include two motorcycles, two mobile phones, dangerous weapons, and one small Tecno mobile phone. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.
Operations in Esan Local Government Areas
Troops also proceeded to clear Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East Local Government Area and the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area. During the operation, seven suspected kidnappers were arrested within Uwarlor-Oke Forest: Isah Shehu (25), Hamadu Safiyanu (22), Tijani Shehu (24), Yahaya Babangida (25), Usman Hamza (26), Abduladi Saleh (23), and Gadafi Tukur (27). Items recovered included one motorcycle and two Itel mobile phones. The suspects and items were handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division for further action.
Joint Operations with Police and Vigilantes
Additionally, troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Force and local vigilantes conducted operations at Emu Forest in Emu, Esan South East Local Government Area. The troops extensively searched Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp, recovering one locally made long-barreled gun and one motorcycle. The recovered items were deposited at Ubiaja Police Division for further action.
Ongoing Operations
Captain Anyanwu assured that the troops would continue with the ongoing operation aimed at ridding the state of criminal elements.
