Joint Police Blitz in Lagos, Ogun Nabs 88 Suspects, Neutralizes Kidnappers

In a decisive move to dismantle cross-border criminal networks, the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands have formally launched a joint security initiative codenamed Operation Kósàyè. The operation, whose Yoruba name translates to "there is no hiding place" or "no space for criminality," is an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and enjoys the full logistical support of the governments of both Lagos and Ogun states.

The formal inauguration of Operation Kósàyè took place on Saturday at the Police Training School in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, led by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bode Ojajuni, and his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Fatai Tijani. The strategic vision behind the operation is to deny criminals the ability to exploit administrative boundaries or difficult terrain to evade justice, thereby wiping out criminal elements and banditry from the states.

Operation Kósàyè secured its first major success on Friday night when a joint tactical team, comprising over 300 police personnel, stormed the densely forested Area J4 Forest in Ogbere, Ogun State. This raid was in pursuit of a syndicate responsible for abducting five travellers along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway less than 24 hours prior. During the high-stakes encounter, a fierce gun duel erupted, leading to the neutralization of four suspected kidnappers. Another gang member sustained severe bullet wounds and managed to escape into the dense foliage, while four other members of the kidnapping ring were captured alive.

The successful rescue operation saw all five abducted victims freed. One of the rescued travellers recounted the harrowing experience of being held by a five-man gang in the forest before the police tactical teams intervened. From the arrested suspects, operatives recovered a significant cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action shotguns, locally made pistols, English pistols, live ammunition, battle axes, cutlasses, mobile phones, and various communication gadgets.

Beyond the initial raid, extensive forest-clearance and bush combing operations were conducted across the wider Lagos-Ogun border corridors, extending up to the boundary with Oyo state. These operations covered significant areas from Ikeja down to Kara bridge, Reedem camp, Iseri corridor, Owode Egba axis, Ogere, Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu Ode, J4 at the fringe of Ondo state, Epe, Ikorodu, and Ogijo. These efforts resulted in the clearing of shanties and criminal hideouts, leading to the arrest of an additional 84 criminal suspects, comprising 75 males and 9 females. In total, the operation has led to the arrest of 88 criminal suspects.

Addressing journalists, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bode Ojajuni, emphasized the operation's goal to allay the fears of citizens and dispel rumors of banditry, stating that currently, "no single Nigeria is in their hands." He urged residents not to panic but to report anyone seen with gunshot wounds to the police immediately. Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Tijani, further reiterated the force's unwavering commitment to the safety and security of citizens, confirming that all known thick bushes within Lagos and Ogun have been thoroughly combed and searched. Both commissioners assured that Operation Kósàyè is a continuous exercise that will be replicated across other areas to maintain peace and security.