The Edo State Special Security Squad has successfully raided and destroyed five suspected kidnappers’ camps in the Owan East Local Government Area. The operation, a key part of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s security drive, was conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes.
Details of the Operation
- Location: The raid targeted the Ekeke Erah Forest, a known hideout for criminal elements in the Edo North Senatorial District.
- Methodology: Operatives reportedly trekked nearly five kilometers into the dense forest to locate the camps. A member of the squad, Eribo Ewanta, stated that they found evidence of recent occupation, including campfires that were still burning and food left cooking, confirming the camps were in active use.
- Confrontation: The security team engaged in a gunfight with the suspected kidnappers at a riverbank. While the criminals managed to escape deeper into the forest, their camps were successfully destroyed, preventing them from being used as a base for future operations.
Broader Context
This raid is part of a larger ongoing effort by the Edo State government to combat persistent security threats, particularly kidnapping and cult-related violence. The state’s Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” has been actively conducting bush-combing exercises and demolishing properties linked to criminals. The coordinated strategy, which includes collaboration with the army and local vigilantes, is aimed at restoring public confidence and sending a strong message that the state will no longer be a haven for criminal activity.
