NIGERIA: Police Arrest 88 Suspects, Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Ogun-Lagos Operation

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

Operatives of the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands have arrested 88 suspects, rescued five kidnapped victims and killed four suspected kidnappers during a joint security operation across both states.

The operation, codenamed Operation Kosaye (No Chance), involved extensive bush-combing exercises across Lagos, Ogun and parts of Oyo State as part of efforts to rid the area of criminal elements.

Addressing journalists at the Police Training College in Iperu on Saturday, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, said the exercise was initiated by the Inspector-General of Police to combat kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.

Ojajuni said the operation led to the rescue of five victims abducted along the Ore–Ogbere Road on Thursday, while four suspected kidnappers were killed and another four arrested.

He said, “We formally launch operation ‘Kosaye’ in Lagos and Ogun state. Operation ‘Kosaye’ means there is no space for criminality and criminals. It is an idea and initiative of the Inspector General of Police and lightly supported and sponsored by the governors of Lagos and Ogun State.

“The aim of this operation is to wipe out banditry if at all it exists in the two states and also to clear the bushes in the states. It is also to wipe out other criminal elements. We are here to allay the fears of the citizens and rumors of banditry.”

According to him, operatives combed forests and criminal hideouts from Lagos through Ogun to the Oyo and Ondo boundaries.

He added, “It may gladden your mind to know that on the marching order of the Inspector General of Police, operation Kosaye moved in and rescued five victims and in the course of the operation we neutralized four kidnappers, arrested another four aside the 84 other suspects that were arrested across Lagos and Ogun stretches.”

Ojajuni disclosed that officers recovered arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, English pistols, locally made pistols, battle axes, cutlasses and mobile phones during the operation.

He urged residents to remain calm and report anyone with gunshot wounds or suspicious movements to the police.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, dismissed reports suggesting bandits had infiltrated Lagos and Ogun states.

“To further clear the doubt of people who have been carrying rumours that bandits have taken over Ogun state and have infiltrated into Lagos state, this is to further clear their doubts that all the bushes have been combed both within Lagos and Ogun.

“Most of the bushes we know are thick bushes and they have been searched thoroughly. Apart from that, it is a continuous exercise, it will continue as long as it can stay. We want to assure the people of Lagos and Ogun that the IGP is not resting on his horse.”

He added that the Inspector-General remained committed to protecting lives and property, noting that the operation would continue with the support of the Lagos and Ogun State governments.