Security operatives in Edo State have intensified their crackdown on criminal activities, as a joint task force raided and demolished five kidnappers’ camps across different forest belts of the state. The operation, which was carried out in collaboration with local vigilantes and other security agencies, followed a series of intelligence reports about the rising cases of abduction along major highways and rural communities.
According to security sources, the coordinated raids were conducted in densely forested areas notorious for sheltering criminal gangs who target commuters, farmers, and villagers. The operatives reportedly stormed the camps in the early hours of the day, dismantling structures used by the kidnappers to detain victims and destroying logistics that sustained their operations. No fewer than five camps were reduced to rubble, while several makeshift shelters and hideouts were set ablaze to prevent reoccupation.
The State Government commended the effort of the security squad, describing the operation as a bold step in reclaiming the forests and restoring public confidence. Officials revealed that the move was part of ongoing measures to flush out criminal elements who have turned some parts of Edo into hotbeds of kidnapping. The government reiterated its commitment to supporting security agencies with logistics, intelligence gathering, and community collaboration to sustain the fight.
Residents of affected communities expressed relief, noting that the activities of the kidnappers had crippled farming, commerce, and free movement in the area. They called for constant patrols and surveillance to prevent the criminals from regrouping and re-establishing their hideouts. Community leaders also pledged to strengthen their cooperation with security agencies by providing timely intelligence.
While the raids recorded significant success, security operatives noted that the fight against kidnapping requires sustained vigilance. They confirmed that although no arrests were made in the immediate operations, investigations are ongoing to track and apprehend the gang members who escaped. Authorities also assured that rescued forest corridors would be closely monitored to stop criminals from returning.
The crackdown comes at a time when Edo, like many states in Nigeria, is grappling with rising security challenges. Kidnapping for ransom has become a recurring menace, with highways and farmlands turning into danger zones for travelers and rural dwellers. Analysts believe that the dismantling of these camps represents a major victory, but stress that more needs to be done to address the root causes of insecurity, including unemployment and porous forest borders.
With the success of the raids, the Edo State Government urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with actionable information. The operation, officials said, marks only the beginning of intensified efforts to rid the state of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
