Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
A joint security operation launched by the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands, Operation Kosaye, has led to the rescue of five kidnapped victims.
The operatives also arrested 88 suspected criminals, and recovered weapons and ammunition from various hideouts across both states.
The operation, code-named Operation Kosaye, was formally unveiled on Saturday at the Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, with the commissioners of police from Lagos and Ogun states outlining early successes recorded during the ongoing crackdown.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, said the initiative was introduced by the Inspector-General of Police with support from the Lagos and Ogun State governments to tackle kidnapping, violent crimes and other security threats along the Lagos-Ogun corridor.
According to him, security operatives have cleared several forests, border communities and criminal hideouts used by kidnappers and other suspects as operational bases.
Ojajuni disclosed that one of the major breakthroughs was the rescue of five kidnap victims along the Ijebu-Ode corridor.
He added that four suspected kidnappers were killed during the operation, while four others were arrested.
He said an additional 84 suspects linked to various criminal activities had also been apprehended across the two states.
Recovered items displayed by the police included AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally fabricated pistols, ammunition, mobile phones and communication gadgets.
Explaining the significance of the operation, Ojajuni said the name Kosaye, a Yoruba expression meaning “there is no hiding place for criminals,” reflects the mission to deny criminals safe havens within forests and border communities.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said the operation had already reclaimed several areas previously occupied by kidnappers and other criminal groups.
“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,” Tijani said.
The police chiefs urged residents to remain calm despite increased security presence in affected areas and encouraged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist ongoing investigations and operations.
They also commended the Inspector-General of Police as well as the Lagos and Ogun State governments for supporting the initiative, expressing confidence that the collaborative model would strengthen efforts to combat cross-border crimes.
