Joint security forces have dismantled suspected kidnappers’ and terrorists’ hideouts in Edo State, arresting 13 suspects and recovering weapons, drugs and other items during coordinated clearance operations in Edo North Senatorial District.
The operation, codenamed **Operation IGBO DANU 1**, was carried out on 4 February 2026 by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade, working alongside the Nigerian Air Force, the Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Edo State Security Corps.
The first phase of the operation covered Osara Community in Etsako West Local Government Area, as well as Auchi and Okpella communities. According to security sources, the raid was aimed at dislodging criminal elements, rescuing potential victims and restoring security in the affected areas.
Eight suspected kidnappers and drug traffickers were arrested during the exercise. They 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).
Recovered from the suspects were one English-made automatic pump-action gun, one locally fabricated pistol, four live cartridges, two cutlasses, five bottles of codeine syrup, substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol, ice, loud and colos, a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, a Nikon digital camera, two Android phones, a metal hook and N87,550 in cash. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation.
In a related operation, troops and police operatives also raided the Aviele Forest in Etsako West Local Government Area, a location known to serve as a hideout for kidnappers and terrorists. Five additional suspects — Isiaka Abubakar (37), Mohammad Abubakar (25), Yusuf Abubakar (24), Mohammed Somu (20) and Isiaka Ibrahim (30) — were arrested during the forest sweep.
Items recovered from the forest raid included two motorcycles, two Android phones and a power bank, all of which were also transferred to the police for follow-up action.
The Commander of 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, who led the operations, praised the swift response and strong inter-agency collaboration. He warned that Edo State would not be safe for terrorists, kidnappers or other criminal elements, reaffirming the brigade’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
