Troops of Headquarters 4 Brigade Nigerian Army have arrested members of a criminal gangs terrorizing communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Nigerian Army in a statement on Thursday night, February 22, 2024, said troops also recovered a vehicle filled with illicit drugs.
“In its continuous determination and renewed vigor to rid Edo State of all forms of criminal activities and make it safer for law abiding citizens, troops of Headquarters 4 Brigade Nigerian Army acting on credible intelligence at the early hours of Thursday 22 February 2024, raided the hideouts of suspected criminal gangs in gbelebu village, Okomu forest in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State,” the statement read.
“During the operation, one of the notorious criminals who has been on the watchlist of the brigade, Joshua Ewaiken AKA General managed to escape before the troops arrival and is currently at large. However, some of his gang members were arrested.
“Those arrested are Shell Joshua, Godspower Joshua, who are brothers to the suspect currently at large. Others are Obuh Ayawe and Japhet Uyaboerizha,”
“Shell Joshua and members of his gang have been engaging in nefarious activities such as kidnapping, robbery, extortion of locals, raping, unlawful possession of firearms, terrorizing of villagers and adjoining communities among other crimes,”
“Items recovered include a Toyota Highlander vehicle, assorted illicit drugs and a mobile phone. The suspects are currently in troops custody for further investigations.
“The Commander 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ebenezer Oduyebo commended the troops for their untiring efforts at denying criminal elements and economic saboteurs freedom of action in the Brigade Area of Operations.”
