**Operation 'Papa Aro' Strikes Again: Edo State Troops Foil Kidnapping Ring** In recent times, Edo State has witnessed a surge in kidnapping cases, leaving many residents living in fear. However, a collaborative effort between the Nigerian Army's 4 Brigade and the Edo State Security Corps has yielded positive results, foiling a notorious kidnapping ring and rescuing four victims. According to sources, a night operation in the forest near Benin City resulted in the neutralization of a notorious kidnapper who had been terrorizing Auchi residents. The kidnapper, who had been evading arrest, was cornered by troops who responded to gunshots in the area. The brazen display of firepower forced the kidnapper and his cohorts to abandon their victims, four of whom were subsequently rescued. The victims, identified as Stella Abbas, Tina Ododa, Razak Rashid, and Mutanibi Kalifa, were left shaken but alive. The troops also made a significant haul, recovering N650,000, footwear, power bank, and mobile phones. This operation is a testament to the Nigerian Army's commitment to ridding the state of criminal elements. In a separate operation on March 3, 2026, troops collaborated with other security agencies to apprehend a 39-year-old suspect identified as Omogbegha Solomon. The suspect was arrested in a house in Ujemen, Esan West Local Government Area, where a shrine containing charms and photographs of various individuals was discovered. The shrine was subsequently destroyed, and the suspect was handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Ekpoma Division for further investigation. The Commander of 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, has commended the troops for their bravery and urged them to sustain the momentum in their fight against criminal elements. This operation serves as a reminder that the Nigerian Army is committed to keeping Edo State safe and secure.