:
The Nigeria Police Force has rescued five persons abducted along the Ijebu-Ode–Sagamu–Ore–Benin Expressway in a major security operation that also led to the killing of four suspected kidnappers and the arrest of four others.
The operation, carried out under the newly launched Operation Kosaye (No Chance), also resulted in the arrest of 84 suspects for various criminal offences across Lagos and Ogun states, with arms, ammunition and other incriminating exhibits recovered from the suspects.
The Commissioners of Police for Lagos and Ogun states, CP Tijani Fatai and CP Bode Ojajuni, on Saturday paraded the 84 suspects alongside recovered arms, ammunition and other exhibits at the Ogun State Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Speaking during the parade, the two commissioners said the operation was launched on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, as part of a coordinated strategy to eliminate kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in Lagos and Ogun states.
They explained that Operation Kosaye, which is supported by the Lagos and Ogun State Governments through the provision of logistics, was designed to reclaim forests, border communities and criminal hideouts from kidnappers and other criminal elements, particularly along the Lagos, Ogun and Ondo State border corridor.
The commissioners said security operatives combed forests, dismantled illegal shanties and raided identified criminal dens during the operation, leading to the rescue of the five victims and the arrest of several suspects involved in criminal activities.
According to them, the operation has successfully cleared forests previously used as hideouts by kidnappers and bandits, stressing that no victim is currently being held captive by criminal gangs within the operational areas in Lagos and Ogun states.
The police chiefs further disclosed that four suspected kidnappers were neutralised during gun battles with operatives, while four other kidnapping suspects and 84 suspects involved in various criminal offences were arrested. They added that several firearms, ammunition and other exhibits were recovered during the coordinated operations.
They said Operation Kosaye would be sustained to ensure that criminal elements had no safe haven in either state, adding that security agencies would continue to dominate identified flashpoints to prevent the resurgence of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The rescued victims, who regained their freedom less than 24 hours after they were abducted while negotiations for the payment of ransom were still ongoing, expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Police Force for its professionalism and prompt response, which led to their successful rescue.
The commissioners urged residents not to panic but to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, particularly by reporting anyone with gunshot wounds or suspicious movements to the nearest police station.
They assured the public that Operation Kosaye would continue until criminal elements were completely flushed out of Lagos and Ogun states.
