Lagos, Ogun Police Operation Kosaye: Five Rescued, 88 Suspects Caught in Forest Clearance

The police formations in Lagos and Ogun states have initiated a comprehensive joint security operation, dubbed 'Operation Kosaye,' to tackle the pervasive issue of insecurity plaguing both states. The launch of this initiative took place on Saturday at the Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, where the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, alongside his Lagos State counterpart, Fatai Tijani, revealed the operation's early successes.

According to the commissioners, 'Operation Kosaye' has already resulted in the liberation of five kidnapped individuals, the elimination of four suspected kidnappers, and the arrest of 88 alleged criminals across the two states. CP Ojajuni elaborated that the Inspector-General of Police conceived the operation, which enjoys robust backing from the Lagos and Ogun State governments, aimed at eradicating kidnappers and other violent offenders from the region. He explained that 'Kosaye,' a Yoruba phrase, translates to 'there is no hiding place for criminals,' signifying the operation's objective to purge forests, criminal havens, and border communities often utilized as safe zones by abductors.

Ojajuni stated, “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 further detailed that the operation seeks to eliminate kidnapping and other violent crimes within both states, thereby rebuilding public trust in security agencies. He noted that security personnel have already dismantled several criminal encampments and cleared forest passages and border areas spanning 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 affirmed.

Highlighting specific achievements, the commissioner disclosed the rescue of five kidnapped victims along the Ijebu-Ode corridor, following directives from the Inspector-General of Police. During this rescue mission, four suspected kidnappers were neutralized, with an additional four apprehended. Furthermore, no fewer than 84 other criminal suspects have been taken into custody across Lagos and Ogun states as part of the ongoing operation. Ojajuni also showcased various items recovered from the suspects, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally fabricated pistols, assorted ammunition, mobile phones, and other communication gadgets.

He reassured residents not to be alarmed by the increased presence of security personnel, emphasizing that the offensive against criminal elements would persist. “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 urged citizens to report anyone with suspicious gunshot wounds or any intelligence that could aid ongoing investigations.

Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, confirmed that the operation has already yielded tangible outcomes, with several forests previously occupied by kidnappers and other criminals now 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 remarked. He explained that before the operation, criminal gangs had established hideouts in dense forests and border communities connecting 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 stressed that 'Operation Kosaye' is not a one-time effort but a sustained initiative to ensure lasting security across the Lagos-Ogun axis. “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 asserted. The Lagos police commissioner lauded the Inspector-General of Police for conceiving the operation and expressed gratitude to the Lagos and Ogun State governments for providing the necessary logistical support. “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 conveyed confidence that this collaborative security model would be adopted in other parts of the country, underscoring the vital role of joint operations among neighboring state police commands in combating cross-border crimes. Both commissioners commended Governors Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their support, assuring the public that the joint operation would relentlessly pursue and decisively address all criminal activities within both states.