By Adesakin Adefemi
The Nigeria Police Force in Lagos and Ogun states has launched a major joint security offensive codenamed Operation Kosaye, recording early breakthroughs with the rescue of five kidnapped victims, the neutralisation of four suspected kidnappers, and the arrest of 88 criminal suspects across both states.
The operation was formally unveiled on Saturday at the Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, and his Lagos State counterpart, Fatai Tijani Both commissioners said the initiative was designed to eliminate kidnapping and other violent crimes while restoring public confidence along the Lagos-Ogun corridor.
According to Ojajuni, Operation Kosaye was initiated by the Inspector-General of Police with full logistical backing from the governments of Lagos and Ogun states. The name, a Yoruba expression, translates to “there is no hiding place for criminals,” and reflects the operation’s focus on forests, criminal camps, shanties, and border communities used as safe havens.
Highlighting early results, Ojajuni said operatives rescued five kidnapped victims along the Ijebu-Ode corridor following a direct order from the IGP. During the same operation, four suspected kidnappers were neutralised, and four others were arrested. In addition, no fewer than 84 other criminal suspects have been apprehended across Lagos and Ogun since the offensive began.
The police also displayed exhibits recovered from the suspects, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally made pistols, ammunition, mobile phones, and communication equipment. Ojajuni said security teams had combed forest corridors, dismantled criminal camps, and cleared illegal structures that served as hideouts across both states.
Lagos Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said the operation had already reclaimed several forests previously occupied by kidnappers and other criminal gangs. He explained that the joint approach was intended to deny criminals cross-border escape routes and to restore security to communities living in fear.
Both commissioners stressed that _Operation Kosaye_ is not a one-off exercise. Tijani confirmed that the offensive will be sustained “for as long as necessary” to ensure residents can move and do business without fear. Ojajuni urged residents not to panic at the sight of increased police deployment, noting that the operation remains ongoing.
The police leadership also appealed to the public for support, urging residents to report anyone with suspicious gunshot wounds or any useful information that could aid investigations.
They commended Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos for providing the logistics that made the exercise possible.
Ojajuni and Tijani expressed confidence that the collaborative model would be replicated in other states, arguing that joint operations among neighbouring commands are critical to tackling cross-border crime.
They assured that the two commands would leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with all criminal activities across the Lagos-Ogun axis.
