Troops of the Nigerian Army, working alongside other security agencies, have dismantled suspected kidnappers’ camps in Edo North Senatorial District, arresting 13 suspects and recovering weapons, drugs and other incriminating items.
The operation was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu.
According to him, the coordinated exercise took place on February 4 and involved personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Edo State Security Corps. The operation targeted Osara, Auchi and Okpella communities in Etsako West Local Government Area.
Anyanwu said the clearance mission, code-named Operation IGBO DANU 1, resulted in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and drug dealers during the initial phase.
Recovered items included a pump-action gun, live cartridges, a locally fabricated pistol, a point-of-sale machine, cutlasses, mobile phones, a digital camera, codeine syrup, weighing scales, substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol and ice, as well as N87,550 in cash.
He added that in a follow-up operation, troops swept through Aviele Forest, a notorious criminal corridor in the area, where five additional suspects were apprehended. Two motorcycles, several phones and a power bank were also recovered.
All suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Reacting to the development, the Commander of 4 Brigade, Brigadier-General Ahmed Balogun, praised the collaboration among the various security agencies, stressing that Edo State would remain unwelcoming to kidnappers and other criminal elements.
Balogun reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while also thanking the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major-General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his strategic support and guidance.
