Twelve suspected kidnappers have been arrested by troops of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Edo North and Edo Central senatorial districts.

A statement by Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin, said the suspects were arrested in separate operations in the Owan East, Esan South-East, and Esan North-East Local Government Areas of the state.

He named three suspects as: Ishaya Obadis (20), Markus Ballu (35) and Godknows Owonoji (30). Anyanwu said the suspects were arrested during clearing operations at Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and conducted cordon-and-search operations at the Rugan Fulani settlement.

He said three suspects, namely Ishaya Obadis (20), Markus Ballu (35) and Godknows Owonoji (30), were arrested at Olelo Forest.

Anyanwu also said that the troops further cleared Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village, and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani, all in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.

He added that during the operations, two suspects, namely a 70-year-old Bala Mahmood and Ibrahim Abdullahi (25), were arrested.

Anyanwu added that preliminary investigations revealed that the three suspects arrested at Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village, and at the Rugan Fulani settlement were collaborators and logistics suppliers to kidnappers.

He listed items recovered from the suspects to include two motorcycles, two mobile phones, dangerous weapons and one small Tecno mobile phone.

The PRO also explained that the suspects and the recovered items were handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.

According to him, similarly, troops proceeded to clear Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East Local Government Area, as well as the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

“During the operation, seven suspected kidnappers, namely, Isah Shehu (25), Hamadu Safiyanu (22), Tijani Shehu (24), Yahaya Babangida (25), Usman Hamza ( 26), Abduladi Saleh (23)and Gadafi Tukur ( 27) were arrested within the Uwarlor-Oke Forest.

“Items recovered from the suspects included one motorcycle and two Itel mobile phones.

“The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division for further action.

“Also, troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Force and local vigilantes conducted operations at Emu Forest in Emu, Esan South East Local Government Area, Edo State.

“During the operation, troops extensively searched Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp, and one locally made long-barreled gun and one motorcycle were recovered.

“Recovered items were deposited at Ubiaja Police Division for further action”, he said.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade assured that the Troops would continue with the ongoing operation aimed at ridding the state of criminal elements.