JUST IN: 88 Suspects Arrested As Police Begin ‘Operation Kosaye’ In Ogun And Lagos Forests
The Nigeria Police Force in Ogun and Lagos states on Friday launched Operation Kosaye, a joint security initiative targeted at addressing insecurity challenges across the two states.
Speaking during the launch on Saturday at the Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, alongside his Lagos State counterpart, Fatai Tijani, said the operation had led to the rescue of five kidnapped victims, the killing of four suspected kidnappers, and the arrest of 88 criminal suspects across both states.
Recovered ammunitions and paraded suspects nabbed
Ojajuni said the operation was initiated by the Inspector-General of Police, with the support of the Lagos and Ogun State governments, to rid the two states of kidnappers and other violent criminals.
He explained that “Kosaye,” a Yoruba expression, means “there is no hiding place for criminals,” adding that the operation was designed to clear forests, criminal hideouts, and border communities used as safe havens by kidnappers.
Ojajuni said that, “Today, we are formally launching Operation Kosaye, a joint security initiative between the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands. The name Kosaye means ‘there is no hiding place for criminals.’
“This operation is an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police and enjoys the full support of the governments of Lagos and Ogun states, which have provided the necessary logistics to ensure its success.”
The police commissioner said the operation was aimed at eliminating kidnapping and other violent crimes within the two states while restoring public confidence in security.
According to him, security operatives have already dismantled several criminal camps and cleared forest corridors and border communities stretching across Lagos and Ogun.
“Our operatives have combed and cleared several forest corridors and border communities stretching across both states. We have also dismantled criminal camps, cleared illegal shanties used as hideouts and arrested several suspects,” Ojajuni said.
Highlighting the achievements recorded so far, the commissioner disclosed that the police rescued five kidnapped victims during an operation along the Ijebu-Ode corridor.
“One of the major breakthroughs recorded during the operation was the rescue of five kidnapped victims along the Ijebu-Ode corridor following the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
“During the rescue operation, four suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while four others were arrested. In addition, no fewer than 84 other criminal suspects have been apprehended across Lagos and Ogun states during the ongoing operation,” he added.
Ojajuni also displayed exhibits recovered from the suspects, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally made pistols, ammunition, mobile phones, and communication equipment.
He urged residents not to panic over the increased deployment of security personnel, stressing that the offensive against criminal elements would continue.
“We therefore urge members of the public not to panic whenever they notice heavy deployment or movement of police personnel. The operation is still ongoing, and our officers will continue to sustain the offensive against criminal elements,” he said.
He also appealed to residents to report anyone with suspicious gunshot wounds or any useful information that could aid ongoing investigations.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said the operation had already begun producing tangible results, noting that several forests previously occupied by kidnappers and other criminals had been reclaimed.
“As you can see from the results displayed here today, Operation Kosaye, initiated by the Inspector-General of Police and strongly supported by the governments of Lagos and Ogun states, has already begun yielding significant results,” Tijani said.
He explained that before the operation, criminal gangs had established camps in thick forests and border communities linking both states.
“This joint operation was designed to deny criminals the opportunity to use these forests as safe havens. Our personnel have systematically combed these areas, dismantled criminal camps and restored security to the affected corridors,” he stated.
Tijani said the operation was not a one-off exercise but would be sustained to ensure lasting security across the Lagos-Ogun corridor.
“This exercise is not a one-off operation. It is continuous and will be sustained for as long as necessary to ensure that residents of both states can go about their lawful activities without fear,” he said.
The Lagos police commissioner commended the Inspector-General of Police for initiating the operation and appreciated the Lagos and Ogun State governments for providing the logistics that made the exercise possible.
“The results speak for themselves. You have seen the rescued victims, the suspects arrested, the firearms recovered and other exhibits displayed here today. These achievements demonstrate that this is a serious and coordinated effort to tackle insecurity,” Tijani added.
He expressed confidence that the collaborative security model would be replicated in other parts of the country, saying joint operations among neighbouring state police commands remained critical to tackling cross-border crimes.
The two commissioners of police also praised Governor Dapo Abiodun and his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for their support and cooperation, assuring that the joint operation would leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with all criminal activities across both states.
