Troops of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, working with personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Edo State Security Corps, have carried out a major security operation across parts of Edo North Senatorial District.
The mission, which took place on 4 February 2026, was conducted under the code name Operation IGBO DANU 1. It targeted criminal hideouts in Osara Community in Etsako West Local Government Area, as well as Auchi and Okpella communities. The objective was to dislodge terrorists and kidnappers and rescue victims held in captivity.
Security operatives arrested eight suspects linked to kidnapping and illicit drug activities. Those apprehended were identified as Jamilu Mohammad (25), Kasim Abu (33), Braimoh Affeez (31), Sulaiman Hamisu (36), Lawan Umaru (25), Bawa Auwal (24), Musa Umaru (40), and Amodu Attai (50).
Recovered weapons included one English Auto Pump-action gun, four live cartridges, and a locally fabricated pistol.
Operatives also seized several other items. These included a Point-of-Sale machine, two cutlasses, a Nikon digital camera, two Android phones, and a metal hook. Five bottles of codeine syrup and two weighing scales used for Indian hemp were recovered. Quantities of suspected cannabis sativa, tramadol, ice, loud, and colos were found. The sum of ₦87,550 was also retrieved. Authorities handed the suspects and exhibits over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation.
In a separate but related operation, troops of the Brigade, alongside police personnel, carried out a sweep of Aviele Forest in Etsako West Local Government Area. The exercise focused on dislodging suspected terrorists and kidnappers operating in the area.
Five additional suspects were arrested during the forest raid. They were identified as Isiaka Abubakar (37), Mohammad Abubakar (25), Yusuf Abubakar (24), Mohammed Somu (20), and Isiaka Ibrahim (30). Security teams recovered two motorcycles, two Android phones, and a power bank from them. They were also handed over to the police.
Commander of 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, led the operations. He praised the rapid response and synergy among participating security agencies. He warned that Edo State will be untenable for terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements to carry out their nefarious activities. He reaffirmed the Brigade’s resolve to protect lives and property across the state. He also appreciated the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his strategic guidance and support.
The statement was issued by Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, on 5 February 2026.
