Troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers during coordinated clearance operations in parts of Edo State.

The operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and the Edo State Security Corps, commenced on May 12, 2026, in Owan East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas under the code name “Operation KO SALO.”

According to the Army, troops raided several suspected criminal hideouts, including Ugbovbighan Village, Olelo Forest, Egoro Amede Village and Rugan Fulani settlements.

During the operation at Olelo Forest, three suspects identified as Ishaya Obadis, 20; Markus Ballu, 35; and Godknows Owonoji, 30, were arrested. Security operatives recovered two motorcycles and two mobile phones from the suspects.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly served as collaborators and logistics suppliers to kidnapping gangs. They were subsequently handed over to the Ekpoma Police Division for further investigation.

In a related operation at Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili Village and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani in Owan East LGA, troops arrested two additional suspects identified as Bala Mahmood, 70, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 25. Dangerous weapons and a Tecno mobile phone were recovered from them.

Similarly, troops extended operations to Uwarlor-Oke Forest in Esan North-East LGA and the Udo Government Reserve Forest in Esan South-East LGA, where seven suspected kidnappers were apprehended.

The suspects were identified as Isah Shehu, 25; Hamadu Safiyanu, 22; Tijani Shehu, 24; Yahaya Babangida, 25; Usman Hamza, 26; Abduladi Saleh, 23; and Gadafi Tukur, 27.

Items recovered during the raid included one motorcycle and two itel mobile phones. The suspects were handed over to the Amendokhian Police Division for further action.

Meanwhile, troops working alongside the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes also carried out operations in Emu Forest, Esan South-East LGA, where they searched Otobo Camp and Nnamdo Camp.

A locally made long-barrel gun and a motorcycle were recovered during the exercise, while the exhibits were deposited at the Ubiaja Police Division.

Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to sustain the momentum against criminal elements across the state.

He reassured residents of the military’s commitment to eliminating kidnapping and safeguarding lives and property, while also calling on members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies.

*Prosecution Counsel Accuses Sowore of delay tactics as Court Sets June 4 for Ruling on recusal petition*

Politician and online publisher Omoyele Sowore has failed to enter a defence in his ongoing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja on cyberbullying related offences.

Sowore is being prosecuted for allegedly making false claims against the person of President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” in a post he made on his “X” and Facebook accounts.

When the case last came up on May 8, Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling, dismissed Sowore’s no-case submission and upheld the argument by the prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), that a prima facie case has been established against Sowore to warrant his being called upon to enter a defence. Recall that before adjournment, the courts dismissed Sowore’s fundamental rights suit and awarded a N1.5M fine to DSS and others.

Justice Umar then, ordered the defendant to enter his defence against the case already made out against him by the prosecution.

Shortly after the ruling, Sowore and his lawyer, Marshall Abubakar applied orally that the judge should withdraw from further handling the case on grounds of alleged bias.

Following the objection raised by Kehinde that such application are usually made formal to enable the adverse party respond appropriately, Justice Umar ordered the defence to file a formal application on their request for the judge to recuse himself to enable the prosecution respond and for the court to make a ruling.

When the case came up on Tuesday, Abubakar told the court that his client has filed letters and applications to the court’s Chief Judge, demanding a reassignment of the case to another judge.

He said the applications, one filed personally by Sowore and the other by him (the lawyer) are accompanied with affidavits and exhibits containing reasons why they are asking that the case be reassigned to another judge.

Responding, Kehinde said he was served on May 19 with the two letters filed by the defence on the same date (May 19).

Kehinde argued that what the defence has done is contrary what the court ordered them to do on the last date, which was to file a formal application to the court on their request for the judge’s recusal.

He said: “All the processes that they have filed are of no moment. This was not the directive of the court. We are opposed to all they have done.”

The prosecuting lawyer urged the court not to allow the defence to detect that pace of the proceedings in the case.

He noted that the case has got to the stage where the defendant should enter his defence if he has and If he does not have he should tell the court so that the prosecution can make the appropriate application.

In his reply, Abubakar argued that the defence has done the appropriate thing and urged the court not to allow itself to be railroaded into taking steps that are alien to the administration of justice.

The defence lawyer urged the court to adjourn further proceedings in the case to await the decision of the court’s CJ on the letters they wrote.

Ruling, Justice Umar ordered the prosecution to file its response to the defence’s letters dated May 19 which are addressed to the Chief Judge and which have also been served on the prosecuting lawyer.

The judge adjourned further hearing till June 4 pending the outcome of the petition written by the defence to the court’s Chief Judge.

Hon. Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), relevant security agencies, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to safeguard the integrity of the APC primary election process in the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency.

In a press statement, the House of Representatives aspirant expressed appreciation to party members, supporters, women, youths, and grassroots stakeholders who participated peacefully in the primary despite reported incidents of intimidation, pressure, and attempts to undermine the democratic will of the people.

According to verified polling unit reports collated by agents across the constituency, Hon. Fajemirokun-Ajayi secured overwhelming grassroots support, particularly within Odigbo Local Government Area, the largest voting bloc in the constituency. The figures show:

– *Hon. Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi* — 4,247 votes
– *Matthew Oye Oyerinmade* — 1,790 votes
– *Festus Adefiranye* — 788 votes

She recorded decisive victories across several wards in Odigbo LGA, including Agbabu, Ago-Alaye, Ajue, Araromi Obu, Ebijaw, Koseru, Odigbo, Ore I, and Ore II.

However, the statement alleged that despite the clear outcome reflected in polling unit reports, there were disturbing reports of intimidation, disruption, and irregularities in parts of the constituency. These included alleged disruption of voting lines, absence of electoral officials in certain locations, and attempts to compromise the integrity of the results.

Of particular concern, the statement cited allegations involving certain aides and associates linked to the Ondo State Government, whose reported conduct “if left unchecked, risks undermining the credibility of future party elections and tarnishing the democratic image of the APC.”

Hon. Fajemirokun-Ajayi said democracy cannot flourish where intimidation replaces fairness, transparency, and due process. She called on President Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC to protect ordinary party members, women, youths, and minority voices from political intimidation, suppression, and exclusion.

“Women have a rightful place in politics. Women have a rightful place in leadership. The voices and votes of the people must never be silenced,” she stated.

The aspirant reaffirmed her commitment to peace, democratic engagement, party unity, and the continued advancement of credible internal democracy within the APC.

_Signed: Hon. Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi
APC House of Representatives Aspirant
Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo & Odigbo Federal Constituency_