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The Nigeria Police Force has launched a joint security operation by the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands, codenamed Operation Kósàyè, aimed at dismantling kidnapping syndicates and other violent criminal networks operating along the border communities of both states.
The operation, a Yoruba expression meaning “there is no hiding place,” was initiated by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, with the full support of the Lagos and Ogun State governments, which provided the necessary logistics for its success.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, who spoke while parading the suspects at the Police Training College, Iperu-Remo, said the operation is designed to flush out kidnappers, armed robbers and other violent criminals from forests and border communities linking Ogun and Lagos states.
“Operation Kósàyè is designed to reclaim our forests, dismantle criminal camps and restore security across communities stretching from Kara and the Long Bridge through Sagamu, Ogere and Ijebu-Ode to adjoining border communities in Ikorodu and Epe,” Ojajuni said.
The operation recorded its first major breakthrough on Friday, barely 24 hours after five travellers were abducted along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway.
During the rescue operation, four suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while another four were arrested.
Ojajuni added that no fewer than 84 other criminal suspects were apprehended in separate operations during forest clearance across both states.
“We are here to reassure residents and dispel the fear and rumours deliberately being spread by kidnappers. As I speak to you, there is no Nigerian currently being held captive by kidnappers in either Lagos or Ogun State,” Ojajuni said.
“You will recall the recent kidnapping incident along the Ijebu-Ode corridor. Acting on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, operatives of Operation Kósàyè moved into the forest and successfully rescued all five victims. They are here with us today.
“During that operation, four kidnappers were neutralised and another four arrested. In addition, 84 other criminal suspects were apprehended in separate operations during the forests clearance across Lagos and Ogun states.
“As I speak, there is no known victim currently being held in captivity within the operational areas covered by this exercise.”
Police recovered a significant cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally made pistols, ammunition, mobile phones and other communication gadgets from the suspects.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said the operation had already yielded significant results, including the destruction of criminal camps hidden in forests along the Lagos-Ogun border.
He claimed that criminal gangs had set up camps along the border, taking advantage of the dense forests and challenging terrain to launch attacks on locals and commuters.
“This is not a one-off operation. It is a continuous exercise that will be sustained until criminal elements are completely denied access to these forests,” Tijani said.
He added that cutting-edge technology, including drones, as well as intelligence gathering, had been deployed.
He credited Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun, who supplied the required logistics, for the accomplishment.
“The results speak for themselves. You have seen the rescued victims, the suspects arrested and the weapons recovered. This is a coordinated effort aimed at tackling insecurity,” he said.
Tijani added that the strategy could serve as a model for combating crime in other parts of the country.
One of the rescued victims, Pharmacist Usofor Amarachi, said she was returning from her village in Oraifite, Anambra State, after attending her father’s burial when gunmen attacked their vehicle near Ogbere.
“They demanded N70 million but later reduced it to N20 million. There were five of them and they were Fulanis. I was confused and hopeless. We slept in the open without food or water,” she said.
She added that on the day of the rescue, “We heard sporadic gunshots. We thought the kidnappers had returned. We all lay on the ground. We later discovered the gunshots were from police officers. I am grateful to God for the prompt intervention, and I will forever remain grateful to the Nigeria Police”.
Another victim, Miss Temi Faith, said she sustained injuries during the attack and had given up hope. “I had already given up hope. I prayed what I believed would be my last prayer.
“Suddenly, we heard gunshots. The kidnappers fled and a policeman came to us, saying, ‘It’s the Nigeria Police. Come out.’ They saved our lives, treated my injuries and ensured we were safe,” she said.
