Security operatives from Lagos and Ogun States have launched a joint offensive against criminal networks operating along the border corridor between the two states, leading to the arrest of 88 suspects, the rescue of five kidnapped victims, the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the death of four suspected criminals during encounters with security personnel.

The operation, codenamed Operation Kosaye, a Yoruba phrase meaning “there is no hiding place,” was initiated by the Nigeria Police Force to dismantle kidnapping syndicates, armed robbery gangs and other violent criminal groups exploiting forests and border communities between Lagos and Ogun states as hideouts.

The development followed coordinated operations by the Lagos and Ogun State police commands, with operatives combing forest locations and criminal hideouts along the J3/J4 axis of Ogbere in Ogun State and other identified flashpoints around the two states.

The operation had already yielded significant outcomes, including the rescue of five kidnap victims, the arrest of 88 suspects and the neutralisation of four suspected kidnappers.

The operation was formally launched by the police at the Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, where the Commissioners of Police in Ogun and Lagos States, Bode Ojajuni and Tijani Fatai, respectively, outlined the objectives of the initiative.

Ojajuni said the operation was designed to flush out kidnappers and other violent criminals hiding in forests, border communities and ungoverned spaces across the two states.

He said the name “Kosaye” captured the mission of the security operation, ensuring that criminals had no safe haven within the Lagos-Ogun axis.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun have commended the security initiative, describing the operation as evidence of the importance of inter-state collaboration in tackling insecurity.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, praised the police and other security agencies for what he described as a “massive onslaught” against criminal elements.

The governor said the results recorded under the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and cooperation between neighbouring states.

“We will continue to work with the police and other security agencies to ensure that our state is safe and secure for residents and visitors.

“We appreciate the huge efforts of the police as directed by Inspector-General Olatunji Disu, in arresting the suspects and the cooperation of our neighbours, Ogun State. This is the way it should be,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely information on criminal activities and suspected hideouts.

Abiodun, on his part, described the operation as a proactive and intelligence-driven response to emerging security threats.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the governor said the collaboration between both states had restored public confidence in the ability of security agencies to protect lives and property.

“The achievements recorded under ‘Operation Kosaye’ have restored public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and reinforced the commitment of security agencies to the protection of lives and property,” Abiodun said.

He added that the sustained security offensive had made Lagos and Ogun increasingly difficult environments for criminals seeking to exploit state boundaries.

“The sustained offensive against criminal elements has effectively made Ogun and Lagos States increasingly hostile to kidnappers, bandits and other violent criminals who had attempted to exploit the shared border communities as safe havens,” he said.

Abiodun also commended the Inspector-General of Police, as well as the Lagos and Ogun police commissioners and participating officers, for their roles in the operation.

According to him, the exercise showed that criminals could only be effectively tackled when security agencies shared intelligence and operated beyond jurisdictional limitations.

“Operation Kosaye has demonstrated the importance of collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated inter-state action in tackling emerging security threats,” he said.

The Ogun governor urged other states to adopt similar joint security frameworks to prevent criminals from taking advantage of administrative boundaries to evade arrest.

Security authorities said the operation would continue as operatives intensify surveillance and intelligence gathering across forests, border communities and other locations identified as possible criminal hideouts.

Lagos and Ogun State governments also reaffirmed their commitment to providing logistical support, technology and other resources to strengthen security operations across the two states. (The PUNCH)

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