Troops of the 4 Brigade, 2 Division Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps, have carried out a major clearance operation against kidnappers in Edo State, leading to the arrest of 12 suspects.

The operation, code-named Operation KO SALO, commenced on May 12, 2026, and focused on Owan East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas. Troops combed through multiple locations including Olelo Forest, Ekeke Forest, Uwarlor-Oke Forest, Udo Government Reserve Forest, and surrounding villages and camps.

During the raids, the following arrests and recoveries were made:

Olelo Forest: Three suspects – Ishaya Obadis, 20; Markus Ballu, 35; and Godknows Owonoji, 30 – were arrested. Two motorcycles and two mobile phones were recovered. Preliminary findings indicate they provided logistics support to kidnapping gangs.

Ekeke Forest and Ishiolili Village: Bala Mahmood, 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 25, were apprehended with dangerous weapons and a Tecno phone.

Uwarlor-Oke Forest: Seven suspects were arrested – Isah Shehu, 25; Hamadu Safiyanu, 22; Tijani Shehu, 24; Yahaya Babangida, 25; Usman Hamza, 26; Abduladi Saleh, 23; and Gadafi Tukur, 27. One motorcycle and two Itel phones were seized.

Emu Forest: In a joint sweep with police and local vigilantes, troops recovered a locally made long-barrel gun and a motorcycle from Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp.

All suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the Ekpoma, Amendokhian, and Ubiaja Police Divisions for further investigation and prosecution.

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Balogun, Commander of 4 Brigade, lauded the troops for their professionalism and urged them to maintain momentum in dismantling criminal hideouts across the state. He also called on residents to provide timely and credible intelligence to aid security efforts.

Clearance operations to flush out remaining criminal elements in Edo State are still ongoing.