By Adesakin Adefemi
Troops of the 4 Brigade, 2 Division Nigerian Army, have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers during coordinated clearance operations across Owan East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas of Edo State.
The operations, code-named Operation KO SALO, began on May 12, 2026, and were conducted alongside other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps. Targets included Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and Rugan Fulani settlements.
At Olelo Forest, troops arrested three suspects identified as Ishaya Obadis, 20, Markus Ballu, 35, and Godknows Owonoji, 30. Motorcycles and mobile phones were recovered from the group, which preliminary investigations described as collaborators and logistics suppliers to kidnapping gangs.
The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation and prosecution. Security officials said the arrests had disrupted supply lines used by criminal elements operating in the area.
Further sweeps in Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani led to the arrest of Bala Mahmood, 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 25. Dangerous weapons were recovered during the operation and also transferred to Ekpoma Police Division.
Troops later moved to Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East and Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East, where seven more suspects were arrested. Among them were Isah Shehu, 25, and Hamadu Safiyanu, 22. A motorcycle and mobile phones were seized before the suspects were handed over to Amendokhian Police Division.
In a separate operation at Emu Forest in Esan South-East, troops recovered one locally made long-barrel gun and another motorcycle. The items were deposited at Ubiaja Police Division.
Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, Commander of 4 Brigade, praised the troops for their professionalism during the operation. He said the Brigade remained committed to eradicating kidnapping and protecting lives and property across Edo State.
Balogun urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing efforts against criminal groups. He said public cooperation was critical to sustaining gains recorded under Operation KO SALO.
