Troops comb kidnappers’ hideouts in Edo, arrest suspects
…recover weapons, drugs, others
By our Correspondent
Personnel of 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in joint operations across Edo North in Edo State have stormed kidnappers’ hideouts, arresting thirteen (13) suspects and recovering weapons.
A terse statement posted on their social media platforms also indicated that drugs, cash, and criminal equipments were also recovered.
According to the statement, suspects have been handed over to the police as the Army vows to make the state hostile to criminals.
See full press release below
PRESS RELEASE
TROOPS OF 4 BRIGADE RAID KIDNAPPERS’ HIDEOUT, ARREST SUSPECTS IN EDO NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT
Troops of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Edo State Security Corps, on 4 February 2026 conducted a clearance operation, codenamed Operation IGBO DANU 1 to neutralise, flush out terrorists, kidnappers and rescue victims at Osara Community in Etsako West Local Government Area as well as Auchi and Okpella Communities all in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State.
During the operation, eight suspected kidnappers and illicit drug peddlers were arrested. The suspects were 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). Weapons recovered from the suspects include one English Auto Pump-action gun, four live cartridges, and one locally made pistol.
Other items seized were a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, two cutlasses, a Nikon digital camera, two Android phones, a metal hook, five bottles of codeine syrup, two Indian hemp weighing scales, and quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol, ice, loud and colos. The sum of ₦87,550 was also recovered.The suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation.
In a related development, troops of 4 Brigade, in conjunction with the Edo State Police Command also combed the Aviele Forest in Etsako West Local Government Area aimed at flushing out suspected terrorists and kidnappers.
During the raid, five suspected kidnappers, Isiaka Abubakar (37), Mohammad Abubakar (25), Yusuf Abubakar (24), Mohammed Somu (20), and Isiaka Ibrahim (30) were arrested. Items recovered from them include two motorcycles, two Android phones, and a power bank.The suspects and recovered items were also handed .
