Joint Security Operation: Four Kidnappers Killed, Four Victims Regain Freedom

Four armed kidnappers have been killed 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.
Five travelers abducted at the Ogbere axis of the Lagos-Sagamu-Benin Expressway, on Thursday evening, were successfully rescued in the rescue operation involving over 300 police men.

During operation, sophisticated firearms including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally-made pistols, ammunition, mobile phones, communication equipment and other items, were also recovered.

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Bode Ojajuni, at the official launch of ‘Operation Kosaye’ at the Nigeria Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, on Saturday, told journalists that the joint operation is a security initiative between the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands.

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, he said.

The Ogun CP, flanked by his Lagos State counterpart, Tijani Fatai, said the joint operation’s main objective was to stamp out kidnapping and other violent crimes in the two states.

“It is also targeted at clearing forests, hideouts and other criminal enclaves across the large border communities between Lagos and Ogun states.

“We are here to assure members of the public that the police are committed to restoring confidence and ensuring safety of lives and property.

“Many criminal hideouts have been dismantled from the operations carried out so far. There are no known victims currently being held by kidnappers within the operational areas of this exercise, as I speak.

Our operatives have cleared a number of forest corridors and border communities in both states. These include the Kara Bridge axis, Long Bridge corridor, areas around Sagamu, Ogere and other adjoining communities, extending to Ikorodu and bordering settlements. We have also destroyed 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.

“Four suspected kidnappers were neutralised and four others arrested in the course of the rescue operation. In addition, 84 more criminal suspects were arrested in Lagos and Ogun states in the ongoing operation.

“We are therefore appealing to members of the public not to panic whenever they see heavy deployment or movement of police personnel. The operation is ongoing and our officers will continue to sustain the offensive against criminal elements.

“We also appeal to the members of the public to report anyone seen with suspicious gunshot wounds or any information that could assist ongoing investigations.

“Ojajuni stated that 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.

CP Tijani Fatai of Lagos State Police Command, in his remarks, expressed delight that the joint operation has already begun yielding significant results.

He observed that the operation had started, as criminal elements had set up camps in thick forests and border communities linking Lagos and Ogun states, some of which he said were hideouts for kidnappers and other violent criminals.

“The aim of this joint operation was to deny the criminals the opportunity to use these forests as safe havens. Our personnel have systematically searched these areas, dismantled criminal camps and re-established security in the corridors concerned.

“This exercise is not a one-time operation. It is continuous and will be sustained as long as necessary to ensure that residents of both states can carry out their lawful activities without fear.

“We want to assure the people of Lagos and Ogun that the Nigeria Police Force is fully committed to securing every part of these states. “The Inspector-General of Police has provided the necessary leadership and operational support for the success of this initiative.

“I also want to sincerely appreciate the Governors of Lagos and Ogun states for their unalloyed support, especially in providing the logistics needed to make this operation effective.

The results are self-explanatory. You have seen the rescued victims, the arrested suspects, the recovered firearms and other exhibits displayed here today. These achievements show that this is a serious and coordinated effort to address insecurity.

“This collaborative approach among neighbouring state police commands shall continue and I believe, shall be replicated across other parts of the country where similar security challenges exist”, CP Tijani submitted.