Troops of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, working alongside the Nigerian Air Force, Edo State Police Command, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Edo State Security Corps, have arrested 13 individuals suspected of kidnapping and drug trafficking in Edo North Senatorial District.
The operation, known as Operation IGBO DANU 1, was conducted on February 4, 2026, targeting criminal hideouts in Osara Community in Etsako West Local Government Area, as well as Auchi and Okpella. The mission aimed to dismantle criminal networks and rescue victims.
During the initial raid, eight suspects were arrested. They were identified as Jamilu Mohammad, Kasim Abu, Braimoh Affeez, Sulaiman Hamisu, Lawan Umaru, Bawa Auwal, Musa Umaru, and Amodu Attai.
Security operatives recovered several items, including a pump-action shotgun, four live cartridges, a locally made pistol, narcotics, bottles of codeine syrup, a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, mobile phones, and cash totaling ₦87,550. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation.
In a separate operation at Aviele Forest, troops and police arrested five more suspects—Isiaka Abubakar, Mohammad Abubakar, Yusuf Abubakar, Mohammed Somu, and Isiaka Ibrahim. Additional items recovered included two motorcycles, mobile phones, and a power bank.
The Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, who supervised the operation, praised the cooperation between the various security agencies. He also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to eliminating criminal activities in Edo State and expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his support and leadership.
