Abiodun Lauds IG, CPs for Successful Joint Ogun-Lagos Security Push

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has extended high praise to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, for pioneering "Operation Kosaye," a collaborative security drive between Ogun and Lagos States. The governor lauded the initiative as a forward-thinking, intelligence-led strategy that has significantly bolstered safety across the two bordering states.

According to a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, Governor Abiodun highlighted the remarkable achievements of Operation Kosaye. These successes include coordinated efforts to sweep through forests and criminal hideouts along the Ogun-Lagos corridor, leading to the neutralisation of armed bandits, apprehension of suspected criminals, and the rescue of kidnapped individuals.

Part of the statement read, “The achievements recorded under Operation Kosaye have restored public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and reinforced the commitment of security agencies to the protection of lives and property.” The governor further asserted that “the sustained offensive against criminal elements has effectively made Ogun and Lagos States increasingly hostile to kidnappers, bandits and other violent criminals who had attempted to exploit the shared border communities as safe havens.”

Governor Abiodun reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to supporting security formations. This support, he assured, would come in the form of logistics, operational resources, and advanced technology to enhance policing activities throughout Ogun State. He added, “sustained investment in security infrastructure, surveillance technology and operational mobility has continued to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in maintaining peace, law and order.”

In his commendation, the governor also acknowledged the professionalism, bravery, and dedication of the Commissioners of Police for Ogun and Lagos States, CP Bode Ojajuni and CP Tijani Fatai, respectively, along with all officers involved in the operation. He observed that “Operation Kosaye has demonstrated the importance of collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated inter-state action in tackling emerging security threats. It goes to show that criminal elements can only be effectively defeated when security agencies work seamlessly across jurisdictional boundaries.”

Abiodun encouraged other states to adopt similar joint security frameworks to prevent criminals from using state boundaries to evade justice. He reaffirmed that safeguarding lives and property remains a cornerstone of his government's agenda, pledging continuous investment in security logistics, technology, and other vital operational resources.

The Nigeria Police Force officially launched Operation Kosaye on Saturday, marking a significant joint security undertaking by the Ogun and Lagos State commands aimed at curbing insecurity across both regions. During the launch event held at the Police Training School in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, alongside his Lagos counterpart, Tijani Fatai, revealed initial results. They disclosed that the operation had already led to the rescue of five kidnapped victims, the neutralisation of four suspected kidnappers, and the arrest of 88 criminal suspects across the two states.

CP Ojajuni clarified that the Inspector-General of Police initiated the operation with the crucial backing of both the Ogun and Lagos state governments. Its primary goal is to dislodge kidnappers and other violent offenders from forests, border communities, and other identified hideouts. He further explained that "Kosaye," a Yoruba term signifying "there is no hiding place for criminals," aptly captures the operation's mission to deny criminal elements any sanctuary within the two states.