In a decisive move to combat rising insecurity, troops from the 4 Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army, based in Benin City, have arrested four individuals suspected of involvement in kidnapping activities within Uhunmwonde Local Government Area (LGA).
The operation targeted the notorious Ahor and Uselu-Nahor communities, areas that have seen a surge in abductions along key rural corridors connecting Edo State to neighboring regions.
The raid, described as a meticulously planned cordon-and-search mission, was executed in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, November 16, 2025. Acting on credible intelligence regarding persistent criminal hideouts, soldiers swiftly sealed off access routes to the communities and conducted thorough searches of residences and surrounding bush areas.
The action yielded significant results, including the seizure of one AK-47 rifle with a loaded magazine, a pump-action shotgun, two vehicles (a Toyota Camry saloon car and a Toyota Highlander SUV) believed to have been used in prior operations, and additional items such as ammunition and personal effects linked to the suspects.
Captain Victor Adebanjo Omotosho, the Brigade's Operations Officer, addressed journalists during the formal parade of the suspects and recovered items at the Brigade Headquarters. "This successful intervention is part of our sustained campaign, in partnership with sister agencies, to disrupt kidnap-for-ransom syndicates plaguing Edo's highways and villages," he stated.
He highlighted that the Ahor-Uselu-Nahor axis has emerged as a hotspot for armed gangs exploiting dense vegetation and proximity to major roads for ambushes on travelers and locals alike.
Edo State has grappled with a wave of kidnapping incidents throughout 2025, with security reports indicating dozens of cases across multiple LGAs. Criminal elements have increasingly targeted highways such as the Benin-Auchi and Benin-Akure routes, often demanding multimillion-naira ransoms.
Joint initiatives involving the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the state-backed "Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultism" task force have led to numerous arrests and rescues this year alone.
For instance, earlier operations in areas like Okpella and along the Benin-Lagos corridor and forests in Ovia North-East have dismantled camps and recovered weapons, reflecting a multi-agency approach under Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration to restore public confidence.
The four apprehended individuals—identified as Frank Anthony, Endurance Egwasa (a resident of Ahor), Sunday Alex, and Stanley Osazuwa (a self-described painter)—maintain their innocence. Anthony claimed he was temporarily residing in the area due to financial constraints preventing him from securing accommodation elsewhere.
Egwasa stated he was at home with his family when troops arrived, while Alex and Osazuwa both attributed their presence to attending a late-night burial ceremony in the village. Investigations are ongoing to verify these accounts and establish any direct links to reported abductions.
Brigade officials emphasized that the arrests represent a critical blow to local criminal networks, which often collaborate with broader syndicates operating across southern Nigeria. "We remain vigilant and committed to proactive patrols and intelligence-driven raids," Captain Omotosho added, assuring residents of continued operations until the threat is fully neutralized.
The Edo State Government has pledged full logistical support to federal security forces, aligning with national efforts to address banditry and kidnapping that have plagued several states.
This development comes as part of a nationwide push by the Nigerian military to curb violent crime, with recent weeks seeing similar successes in rescues and arrests across the South-South and South-East zones. Authorities urge the public to report suspicious activities through dedicated hotlines, stressing community cooperation as key to sustaining peace in rural and highway areas.
The suspects have been handed over for further interrogation and possible prosecution, underscoring the zero-tolerance policy toward kidnapping in Edo State. Residents in Uhunmwonde LGA have welcomed the intervention, expressing hope that it will deter future incidents and encourage safer travel along affected routes.