The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major success in its fight against kidnapping and violent crime following the launch of Operation Kósàyè, a joint security operation involving the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands.
The operation, officially launched at the Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, has already led to the rescue of five kidnapped victims, the arrest of 88 criminal suspects, and the neutralisation of four suspected kidnappers, according to police authorities.
Speaking during the launch, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, said the initiative was introduced by the Inspector-General of Police with the support of the Lagos and Ogun State governments to eliminate criminal activities along the border communities of both states.
The Suspects
He explained that “Kósàyè,” a Yoruba expression meaning “there is no hiding place,” reflects the mission of the operation, which is to flush kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal gangs out of forests, border communities and other hideouts.
According to Ojajuni, security operatives have already cleared several forests, dismantled criminal camps and illegal shanties used by kidnappers, while intensifying operations across known crime hotspots.
One of the operation’s biggest breakthroughs came along the Ijebu-Ode corridor, where police successfully rescued five kidnap victims during a coordinated rescue mission.
During the operation, four suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while four others were arrested. In addition, police apprehended 84 other suspects linked to various criminal offences across Lagos and Ogun States.
The police also displayed several items recovered from the suspects, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally made pistols, ammunition, mobile phones and communication devices believed to have been used for criminal activities.
Ojajuni urged residents not to panic over the increased presence of security personnel, assuring them that the operation was aimed at protecting lives and property.
“The operation is still ongoing, and our officers will continue the offensive against criminal elements,” he said.
He also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information, especially regarding persons with suspicious gunshot wounds or activities linked to criminal groups.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, described the operation as a major step towards reclaiming forests and border communities previously occupied by kidnappers and armed gangs.
He noted that criminals had exploited the difficult terrain between Lagos and Ogun States for years but said the joint operation had begun restoring security to the affected areas.
Tijani stressed that Operation Kósàyè is not a one-time exercise but a long-term security strategy that will continue until criminal networks are completely dismantled.
He also commended the Inspector-General of Police, as well as Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun, for providing the logistics and support that made the operation possible.
The police expressed confidence that the collaborative security model could be replicated in other parts of Nigeria to combat cross-border crimes more effectively.
