The Nigeria Police Force has officially launched Operation Kósàyè, a joint security operation involving the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands aimed at dismantling kidnapping gangs and violent criminal networks operating across border communities linking both states.
The operation recorded an early success with the rescue of five kidnap victims less than 24 hours after they were abducted along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway.
Police also neutralised four suspected kidnappers during the rescue operation, while another suspect escaped with gunshot injuries.
In separate coordinated operations along the Lagos-Ogun corridor, security operatives arrested four additional suspected kidnappers and 84 other criminal suspects.
Weapons recovered from the suspects included AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, locally fabricated pistols, ammunition, mobile phones and communication devices.
Speaking while parading the suspects at the Police Training College, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bode Ojajuni, explained that the operation was initiated by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu.
He said the operation, named after the Yoruba phrase meaning “there is no hiding place,” was designed to eliminate criminal hideouts within forests and border communities stretching from Lagos into Ogun State.
According to Ojajuni, the operation covers communities from Kara and the Long Bridge through Sagamu, Ogere and Ijebu-Ode to adjoining areas in Ikorodu and Epe.
“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.
“Identified flashpoints have been cleared. Illegal shanties used by criminals have been dismantled, while several suspects have been arrested,” he said.
The commissioner assured residents that the police had successfully rescued every victim recently abducted within the operation’s jurisdiction.
“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.
“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 forest 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,” Ojajuni stated.
He appealed to residents to continue providing useful intelligence, particularly information relating to suspected kidnappers and persons seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.
Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Tijani, said the operation had already dismantled several criminal camps concealed within forests along the Lagos-Ogun boundary.
According to him, criminal gangs had long exploited the dense forests and difficult terrain to establish hideouts from which they attacked commuters and residents.
“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 disclosed that the police had deployed drones, intelligence gathering and other technological resources to support the operation.
Tijani attributed the achievements recorded so far to the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police as well as logistical support provided by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.
“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 added.
One of the rescued victims, Pharmacist Usofor Amarachi, narrated how she was kidnapped while returning from her father’s burial in Oraifite, Anambra State.
She said gunmen attacked their vehicle near Ogbere, shooting her widowed mother in the hand before abducting her and one of her aunts into the forest.
According to Amarachi, the kidnappers initially demanded N70 million before reducing the ransom to N20 million.
“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.
“On the day we were rescued, 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,” she said.
Another rescued victim, Miss Temi Faith, recalled that the kidnappers intercepted their vehicle around 4 p.m. and marched them into the forest where they met other captives.
“They collected our phones and the cash with us. I sustained injuries during the attack.
“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 recounted.
Farmer Jimoh Gbadamosi, who was travelling in another vehicle, said the kidnappers stopped several vehicles along the highway and abducted five people from three separate vehicles after opening fire.
He praised the police for the rescue and appealed to the Federal Government to provide security agencies with more sophisticated equipment while establishing permanent security checkpoints along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway.
An emotional moment occurred when Mrs. Blessing Nsofor, who escaped after sustaining a gunshot wound during the attack, arrived from the hospital to thank the police.
Kneeling before officers at the Police Training College in Iperu, she apologised for her previous criticism of the police.
“As from today, I will never speak ill of the police again. But for them, I don’t know what would have happened to me, my two daughters and my sister who travelled with us for my husband’s burial.
“I managed to escape from the bus. My body was soaked with blood. I ran in search of help but some people ran from me. I begged them to help me until a motorcyclist volunteered to carry me to the hospital. I was rejected at three hospitals until I was taken to the General Hospital where I was treated.
“I am eternally grateful to the police. They are excellent,” she said while displaying the bandaged gunshot wound on her left arm.
The victims disclosed that while they were already free, their relatives were still desperately trying to raise the ransom demanded by the kidnappers before receiving news of their rescue.
They also appealed for the restoration of police checkpoints along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway and called on the Federal Government to clear thick vegetation along the highway to improve visibility and enhance security.
