Day after the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika personally led troops of joint security operatives at the dead of the night to launch offensive attacks against kidnappers in the forest, the Commander, 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun also personally led troops of joint security operatives to the kidnappers’ hideouts and launched massive military clearance and offensive actions against kidnappers, both security operations led to the arrest of several suspected kidnappers allegedly caught in the act inside the bush, with the identities of the arrested suspects indicating that most of the kidnappers terrorising Edo State are from the far Northern part of Nigeria, an observation which appeared to have challenged the public policy statement made earlier in January 2026 by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo who stated that many of those involved in the kidnapping surge in Edo state are indigenes of the area, saying, that may be the reason some kidnappers wears facemasks, the governor made this statement as kidnapping in the state appeared to have become worse in 2026 and very rampant in a manner that indicated that an average of 1 to 2 persons are being kidnapped in a day in Edo state as more than 60 persons became new victims of the increasing criminal activities in the state since the beginning of 2026, like, in January 2, 2026, two brothers, Doctor Abu Ibrahim Babatunde, a medical doctor on housemanship and Abu Tahir, a fresh graduate were kidnapped at the gate of their residence along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp in Auchi, the kidnappers initially demanded a ₦200 million ransom and tragically, on January 5, one of the two brothers was found dead, on January 9, 2026, 8 indigenes of Imoga community in the Akoko-Edo local government area of the state were abducted from a hotel along Ibillo road, since the start of 2026, Edo state has experienced a significant surge in kidnappings, leading to widespread protests at Ekpoma in the Edo Central senatorial zone with multiple police rescue operations including the incidents reported early February 2026, where police rescued 9 victims including 5 children and a separate group of 14 victims, this as that, earlier on January 22, 2026, a farmer named Monday Adero was kidnapped and later rescued and in late January, another farmer, Abraham Udewa, and his two wives, Brinda and Anna were abducted from Egoro Amende community but successfully rescued by security forces, in mid-January, Akhabhe Favour and a former student union leader were kidnapped in Edo central, troubled by the surge in kidnapping in the state, residents and students of Ambrose Alli University A.A.U staged a major protest on January 10, 2026, citing “daily kidnappings” and the abduction of a university professor and numerous students, on February 2, 2026, a family of nine was ambushed at Eko-Abeku-Iyowa road in Ovia North-East Local government area and the kidnappers demanded a ₦260 million ransom for four children and two women still held after five others were rescued or released, that aside, on January 31, 2026, gunmen intercepted a commercial bus near Ekhiadolor, shooting the driver and taking passengers into the bush, police later rescued 13 victims, in mid-January 2026, multiple residents in Ekpoma were abducted, including a victim captured on CCTV being taken from his compound.

According to Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, “Troops of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Edo State Security Corps, on 4 February 2026 conducted a clearance operation, codenamed Operation Igbo Danu 1 to neutralise, flush out terrorists, kidnappers and rescue victims at Osara Community in Etsako West Local Government Area as well as Auchi and Okpella Communities all in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State.

During the operation, eight suspected kidnappers and illicit drug peddlers were arrested. The suspects 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). Weapons recovered from the suspects include one English Auto Pump-action gun, four live cartridges, and one locally made pistol.

Other items seized were a Point-of-Sale (P.O.S) machine, two cutlasses, a Nikon digital camera, two Android phones, a metal hook, five bottles of codeine syrup, two Indian hemp weighing scales, and quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol, ice, loud and colos. The sum of ₦87,550 was also recovered. The suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation.

In a related development, troops of 4 Brigade, in conjunction with the Edo State Police Command also combed the Aviele Forest in Etsako West Local Government Area aimed at flushing out suspected terrorists and kidnappers.

During the raid, five suspected kidnappers, Isiaka Abubakar (37), Mohammad Abubakar (25), Yusuf Abubakar (24), Mohammed Somu (20), and Isiaka Ibrahim (30) were arrested. Items recovered from them include two motorcycles, two Android phones, and a power bank. The suspects and recovered items were also handed over to the police for further investigation.

The Commander, 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, who led the operations, commended the swift response and collaboration among the security agencies. He warned that Edo State will be untenable for terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements to carry out their nefarious activities. He also reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to safeguarding lives and properties in the state. He expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, for his strategic guidance and support”.

While A.S.P Eno Ikeodem, the Edo Police Command Public Relations Officer had stated that “in continuation of the joint clearance operations, a meticulously executed night operation that underscores the resolve of synergised security forces to confront crime at its roots was conducted. The Edo State Police Command, in the early hours of Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, carried out a daring raid deep within the Agbede Forest, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, leading to the arrest of six suspects.

The operation was launched following a critical intelligence breakthrough provided by a kidnapped victim who was able to clearly identify the forest camp where he had been held captive. Acting decisively on this lead, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, personally led a formidable joint team comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), and local hunters into the heart of the forest under the cover of darkness.

Demonstrating precision and determination, the joint team drove for approximately three (3) hours until the end of the last accessible motorable road. From that point, the operatives advanced on foot, navigating dense forest paths and crossing three (3) locally constructed wooden bridges to reach the identified camp. The silent advance, which lasted close to two (2) additional hours, ensured tactical surprise and prevented any compromise of the mission.

Upon arrival at the location at about 3:45am, the area was swiftly cordoned off in a well-coordinated encirclement, effectively cutting off all escape routes. A thorough sweep of the camp resulted in the arrest of six suspects identified as: Mikel Gendaga ‘Male’, aged 41 years, from Benue State; Yusuf Abubakar ‘Male’, aged 34 years, from Kano State; Isyaka Abraham ‘Male’, aged 30 years, from Kogi State; Isyaka Abubakar ‘Male’, aged 37 years, from Kano State; Mohammed Sumo ‘Male’, aged 20 years, from Kano State; and Mohammed Abubakar ‘Male’, aged 25 years, from Kano State.

The suspects are currently being profiled and subjected to intensive investigation by officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin City, for diligent prosecution.

Describing the operation as a clear message to criminal elements, the Commissioner of Police commends the courage, discipline, and seamless inter-agency collaboration displayed by all personnel involved. He reaffirms the Command’s determination to take the fight against organised crime to the to the abode of suspected criminals at their most remote locations and warned that Edo State forests will no longer serve as safe havens for criminals.

The Edo State Police Command urges members of the public to remain vigilant and to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, assuring citizens that sustained intelligence-led operations will remain a key strategy in securing lives and property across the State”.