Police operatives in Lagos and Ogun states have killed four suspected kidnappers, rescued five abducted victims and arrested 88 suspects during coordinated raids on forests, highways and criminal hideouts across the two states.
The operation, codenamed “Operation Ko Si Aye” (No Room for Criminals), was formally launched by the police authorities under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, with logistical support from the governments of Lagos and Ogun states.
Addressing journalists at Iperu, Ogun State, the Commissioners of Police of both states, CP Tijani Fatai and CP Bode Ojajuni, explained that the operation was designed to flush out kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements from forests, highways and border communities within the two states.
Speaking earlier at the joint press conference, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, stated that the police tactical teams conducted extensive bush-clearing operations from Lagos through Ogun State, covering areas including Ikeja, Kara Bridge, Redemption Camp, Shagamu Corridor, Owode-Apa, Ogere, Ijebu-Ode, Epe, Ikorodu, Ogijo and Etokin.
Ojajuni disclosed that one of the major breakthroughs of the operation was the rescue of five persons who had been kidnapped along the J3–J4 corridor near the Benin-Shagamu Expressway.
“On the marching orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Operation ‘Ko Si Aye’ moved into the area and successfully rescued five victims. During the operation, four kidnappers were neutralised while four others were arrested,” he said.
The Ogun State Police boss added that a total of 88 suspects were arrested across Lagos and Ogun states during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts and forests suspected to be used by criminals.
“Several weapons and other exhibits were also recovered during the operation. The recovered items included AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, assault rifles, English-made pistols, locally fabricated firearms, battle axes, mobile phones and other materials believed to be linked to criminal activities,” he said.
Ojajuni said the operation had helped dispel fears and rumours of widespread bandit activities in the two states, maintaining that security operatives found no established bandit camps during the exercise.
He assured residents that the operation would continue until all criminal elements operating within the region were flushed out.
Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, described reports of bandits infiltrating Lagos as largely unfounded, saying thorough searches of forests and border communities had not revealed any organised bandit settlements.
He noted that the operation demonstrated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police to safeguarding lives and property and strengthening security across the country.
“This is not a one-off exercise. It is a continuous operation. We want the people of Lagos and Ogun states to be assured that the police are not relenting in their responsibility to protect them,” Fatai said.
The commissioner added that local communities, vigilante groups and other security stakeholders were actively involved in the operation by providing intelligence and assisting security agencies with knowledge of the terrain.
He further disclosed that police would reinforce security deployments along vulnerable highway corridors following information obtained from some of the rescued victims.
On the suspects arrested during the operation, Fatai explained that some were apprehended in criminal hideouts while others were intercepted in forest areas and could not give satisfactory accounts of their presence.
He said investigations were ongoing and that suspects found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, assuring the public that Operation ‘Ko Si Aye’ would continue across the two states as part of efforts to curb kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes.
