The Nigeria Police Commands in Ogun and Lagos states on Friday launched Operation Kosaye, a joint security initiative aimed at tackling insecurity across both states.
Speaking at the launch on Saturday at the Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, alongside his Lagos counterpart, Fatai Tijani, said the operation has resulted in the rescue of five kidnapped victims, the killing of four suspected kidnappers, and the arrest of 88 criminal suspects in the two states.
Ojajuni explained that the operation was initiated by the Inspector-General of Police, with support from the Lagos and Ogun State governments, to eliminate kidnappers and other violent criminals. He noted that “Kosaye,” a Yoruba expression, means “there is no hiding place for criminals,” adding that the initiative targets forests, criminal hideouts, and border communities used as safe havens by kidnappers.
He said, “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.”
According to Ojajuni, the operation seeks to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes while restoring public confidence in security.
He stated that security operatives have already cleared several forest corridors and border communities across both states, dismantled criminal camps, removed illegal shanties used as hideouts, and arrested numerous suspects.
Highlighting key achievements, Ojajuni disclosed that five kidnapped victims were rescued during an operation along the Ijebu-Ode corridor.
“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,” he added.
The commissioner also displayed items recovered from the suspects, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally made pistols, ammunition, mobile phones, and communication devices.
He urged residents not to be alarmed by the increased presence of security personnel, assuring them that the operation against criminal elements would continue.
“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 further appealed to residents to report individuals with suspicious gunshot wounds or provide any information that could assist ongoing investigations.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said the operation has already produced meaningful results, 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 said.
He noted that before the operation, criminal groups had established camps 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 emphasised that the exercise would be sustained to guarantee lasting security along the Lagos-Ogun corridor.
“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 said.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police for initiating the operation and thanked the Lagos and Ogun State governments for providing the logistics required for its implementation.
“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 expressed confidence that the collaborative model could be adopted in other parts of the country, stressing that joint operations among neighbouring state commands are vital in addressing cross-border crimes.
The two commissioners also praised Governors Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their support and cooperation, assuring residents that the operation would leave no stone unturned in tackling criminal activities across both states.
