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…harvest 84 other suspects
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Four armed kidnappers have been neutralized by police operatives during a joint operation between the Lagos and Ogun Police Commands codenamed ‘Operation Kosaye’.
The operation which was an initiative of the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu and supported by the governors of Lagos and Ogun, also led to the arrest of four suspected kidnappers when operatives stormed Area J4 Forest, Ogbere, Ogun State, on Friday night.
In the rescue operation that involved over 300 police men, five travelers who were abducted at the Ogbere axis of the Lagos-Sagamu-Benin Expressway, on Thursday evening, were successfully rescued.
Sophisticated firearms including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally-made pistols, ammunition, mobile phones, communication equipment and other items, were also recovered during operation.
Addressing journalists during the official launch of ‘Operation Kosaye’ at the Nigeria Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, on Saturday, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Bode Ojajuni, explained that the joint operation is a security initiative between the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands.
He said the codename of the operation which literally translates to ‘there is no hiding place for criminals’ in Yoruba language, was initiated by the Inspector-General of Police with full support of the governments of Lagos and Ogun states, which have provided the necessary logistics to ensure its success.
Flanked by his Lagos State counterpart, Tijani Fatai, the Ogun CP added that the main objective of the joint operation is to eliminate kidnapping and other violent crimes within the two states.
According to him, “It is also aimed at clearing forests, hideouts and other criminal enclaves across the vast border communities shared by Lagos and Ogun states.
“We are here to reassure members of the public that the police are fully committed to restoring confidence and ensuring the safety of lives and property.
“From the operations conducted so far, many criminal hideouts have been dismantled. As I speak, there is no known victim currently being held in captivity by kidnappers within the operational areas covered by this exercise.
“Our operatives have combed and cleared several forest corridors and border communities stretching across both states. These include the Kara Bridge axis, the Long Bridge corridor, areas around Sagamu, Ogere, and other adjoining communities, extending into Ikorodu and neighbouring border settlements. We have also dismantled criminal camps, cleared illegal shanties used as hideouts, and arrested several suspects.
“One of the major breakthroughs recorded during the operation was the rescue of five kidnapped victims along the Ijebu-Ode corridor following the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
“During the rescue operation, four suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while four others were arrested. In addition, no fewer than 84 other criminal suspects have been apprehended across Lagos and Ogun states during the ongoing operation.
“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.
“We also appeal to members of the public to report anyone seen with suspicious gunshot wounds or any information that could assist ongoing investigations.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains fully committed to protecting residents of Lagos and Ogun states and ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven within our communities, Ojajuni stated.
In his remarks, CP Tijani Fatai of Lagos State Police Command, expressed delight that the joint operation has already begun yielding significant results.
He observed the operation commenced, criminal elements had established camps within thick forests and border communities linking Lagos and Ogun states, saying some of these locations served as hideouts for kidnappers and other violent criminals.
“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.
“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.
“We want to reassure the people of Lagos and Ogun that the Nigeria Police Force remains fully committed to securing every part of these states. The Inspector-General of Police has provided the necessary leadership and operational support to ensure the success of this initiative.
“I also wish to sincerely appreciate the Governors of Lagos and Ogun states for their unwavering support, particularly in providing the logistics required to make this operation effective.
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.
“This collaborative approach among neighbouring state police commands will continue and, I believe, will be replicated across other parts of the country where similar security challenges exist”, CP Tijani submitted.
