EDO SECURITY SQUAD STORMS FORESTS, DESTROYS KIDNAPPERS’ CAMPS IN RENEWED CRACKDOWN ON CRIMINALS

The Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers”, has intensified its offensive against criminal elements across the state, conducting large-scale forest operations that led to the recovery of firearms and ammunition in key locations.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Government, Fred Itua, and made available to journalists.

The coordinated exercise was supervised directly by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and the Governor’s Principal Security Officer (PSO).

The operation covered Ovia North-East, Esan North-East, Esan West, and Esan South-East Local Government Areas, with special focus on the Benin–Akure Road corridor, where passengers of New Edo Line transport company were recently abducted.

During the sweep, operatives recovered two locally made double-barrel guns and a live cartridge in communities such as Osa-Somba and Idunwingie in Ovia North-East. Authorities noted that the findings point to the heavy reliance on locally fabricated weapons by kidnappers in the area.

Mr. Eribo Emwanta, a member of the squad, revealed that in Ugboha forest, security operatives discovered abandoned camps suspected to have served as kidnappers’ hideouts. He stressed that the operation will remain continuous, with Governor Okpebholo personally monitoring its progress.

Similarly, another official, Idemudia Noah, disclosed that the squad is deploying drones, military personnel, and advanced surveillance tools in its pursuit of criminals.

“We received distress calls from Ugboha residents over kidnapping incidents and responded with massive forest combing. This administration is determined to make Edo unsafe for criminals. The message is clear: criminals must leave or face decisive action,” Noah said.

Community leaders applauded the move. The Okhighele of Eko-Ekpeti, Mr. Osaro Ehiozomwangie, and a resident, Mr. Ighodaro Michael, commended Governor Okpebholo for deploying the security squad. They noted that kidnapping had become rampant along the corridor, with local hunters overstretched.

They described the operation as a relief but urged the government to provide additional logistics and mobility support to enable communities complement the effort.

“We are glad the Governor is leading this fight. With more support, these criminals will no longer terrorize our people,” they said.

Beyond the forest raids, the squad also carried out a show-of-force operation across Sobe, Ozalla, Iruekpen, Ekpoma, Ihunmudumu, Eguare, Irrua, Idumu Ojiezua, Ivue/Obeidu, Eror, Arue-Uromi, Egbele, Amedokhian-Uromi, Ugboha, and several other communities.

Security operatives explained that the move was aimed at reassuring residents of government’s commitment to safety and sending a strong warning to criminal networks.

The multi-agency operation—which included the army, police, and local security outfits—saw personnel trekking for hours deep into the forests in search of criminal hideouts.

Although no arrests have been made yet, officials confirmed that security forces remain on the trail of the kidnappers, describing the mission as a preventive strike that dismantled potential bases of operation.