BENIN CITY — The Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers, has intensified its crackdown on criminal elements with a large-scale bush-combing exercise that led to the recovery of firearms and dismantling of suspected kidnappers’ hideouts.
The operation, supervised by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and the Governor’s Principal Security Officer (PSO), covered Ovia North-East, Esan North-East, Esan West, and Esan South-East Local Government Areas.
Particular attention was paid to the Benin–Akure Road corridor, where passengers of New Edo Line transport company were recently kidnapped.
During the sweep, operatives recovered two locally made double-barrel guns and one live cartridge in adjoining communities, including Osa-Somba and Idunwingie in Ovia North-East.
Officials noted that the discoveries underscored the entrenched use of local armoury by kidnappers in the region.
In Ugboha forest, operatives discovered abandoned camps suspected to have been used by kidnappers. A member of the squad, Mr. Eribo Emwanta, said the exercise would remain continuous, with Governor Monday Okpebholo personally monitoring progress.
Another official, Idemudia Noah, disclosed that the team was deploying drones, military personnel and advanced surveillance in its pursuit of criminals.
“We received distress calls from Ugboha people reporting kidnapping incidents, and we responded with massive forest combing. This administration is determined to make Edo unsafe for criminals. The message is clear: they must leave or face decisive action,” Noah declared.
Community leaders commended the government’s intervention. The Okhaighele of Eko-Ekpeti, Mr. Osaro Ehiozomwangie, and a resident, Mr. Ighodaro Michael, said kidnapping had become rampant along the route, stressing that local hunters had long been overstretched.
They appealed for more government support in logistics and mobility to sustain the operations.
“We are happy to see the Governor take the lead. With greater support, we can ensure these criminals no longer terrorize our communities,” they said.
Beyond the immediate sweep, the squad embarked on a show-of-force across Sobe, Ozalla, Iruekpen, Ekpoma, Ihunmudumu, Eguare, Irrua, Idumu Ojiezua, Ivue/Obeidu, Eror, Arue-Uromi, Egbele, Amedokhian-Uromi, Ugboha, and several other communities.
Security officials explained that the operation was designed to reassure residents of government’s commitment to safety and to send a strong warning to criminal networks.
The multi-agency effort, which involved the army, police, and local security operatives, saw personnel trek for hours deep into forests in search of hideouts.
Although no arrests have been made yet, authorities described the operation as a preventive strike that dismantled potential bases of kidnappers.
