Nigerian Army clears kidnap hotspots in Etsako West, confiscates weapons, drugs

Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully dismantled multiple kidnappers’ hideouts in Edo North Senatorial District, arresting 13 suspects and recovering arms, drugs, and other incriminating items.

The development was disclosed on Friday by Capt. Kennedy Anyanwu, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army.

According to Anyanwu, the operation, carried out on February 4, involved troops of the 4 Brigade in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Edo State Security Corps.

The mission targeted the communities of Osara, Auchi, and Okpella in Etsako West Local Government Area.

Codenamed Operation IGBO DANU 1, the clearance exercise led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and drug traffickers.

Recovered items included a pump-action gun, live cartridges, a locally made pistol, cutlasses, mobile phones, a digital camera, POS machine, codeine syrup, weighing scales, substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol, ice, and N87,550 in cash.

In a related operation at Aviele Forest, a notorious criminal corridor in the region, troops apprehended five additional suspects and recovered two motorcycles, phones, and a power bank.

All suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

Speaking on the operations, the Commander, 4 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, praised the synergy among the security agencies and warned that Edo State would remain hostile to kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Balogun reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while acknowledging the support and strategic guidance of the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife.

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