Ogun, Lagos Police Launch ‘Operation Kosaye’ Against Kidnappers, Arrest 88 Suspects 

MOUTHPIECE NGR reports that Police in Ogun and Lagos states on Saturday launched Operation Kosaye, a joint security initiative targeting kidnapping and violent crime across the two states. 

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, and his Lagos counterpart, Fatai Tijani, said the operation has led to the rescue of five kidnapped victims, the killing of four suspected kidnappers and the arrest of 88 suspects. 

Ojajuni said the Inspector-General of Police initiated the operation with support from the Lagos and Ogun state governments. “Kosaye” is a Yoruba term meaning “there is no hiding place for criminals.”

“This operation is designed to clear forests, criminal hideouts and border communities used as safe havens by kidnappers,” Ojajuni said at the Police Training School in Iperu-Remo. 

He said operatives have dismantled criminal camps, cleared illegal shanties and combed forest corridors along the Lagos-Ogun border. 

Ojajuni said five victims were rescued along the Ijebu-Ode corridor. During the rescue, four suspected kidnappers were killed and four others arrested. He said 84 additional suspects have been apprehended across both states. 

Police displayed recovered items including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally made pistols, ammunition, mobile phones and communication equipment. 

Tijani said the operation had reclaimed forests previously occupied by criminal gangs. “This joint operation was designed to deny criminals the opportunity to use these forests as safe havens,” he said. 

He added that the exercise would be sustained. “It is not a one-off operation. It will continue for as long as necessary to ensure residents can go about their lawful activities without fear,” he said.

The commissioners urged residents not to panic at increased police deployments and to report anyone with gunshot wounds or useful information. They also thanked Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos for logistical support.