Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force, Edo State Police Command, the NSCDC, and Edo State Security Corps, conducted a major clearance operation, Operation IGBO DANU 1, on February 4, 2026. The operation targeted terrorist and kidnapping hideouts in Osara Community, Etsako West Local Government Area, as well as Auchi and Okpella communities in Edo North Senatorial District.
According to Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, eight suspected kidnappers and drug peddlers were arrested. They include Jamilu Mohammad, Kasim Abu, Braimoh Affeez, Sulaiman Hamisu, Lawan Umaru, Bawa Auwal, Musa Umaru, and Amodu Attai. Security operatives recovered one English Auto Pump-action gun, four live cartridges, a locally made pistol, two cutlasses, a POS machine, a Nikon camera, Android phones, bottles of codeine syrup, Indian hemp weighing scales, and suspected drugs including cannabis, tramadol, ice, loud, and colos. Cash of ₦87,550 was also seized.
In a related operation, troops and police combed the Aviele Forest in Etsako West, arresting five more suspects — Isiaka Abubakar, Mohammad Abubakar, Yusuf Abubakar, Mohammed Somu, and Isiaka Ibrahim — and recovered two motorcycles, phones, and a power bank.
Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, Commander of 4 Brigade, commended the collaboration, warning that Edo State will no longer be a safe haven for criminals. He reiterated the Brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property and appreciated the strategic guidance of Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army.
The operations mark a strong move by Nigerian security forces to dismantle criminal networks and reinforce safety across Edo North.
