The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has intensified its offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes in Lagos and Ogun states, rescuing five kidnap victims, killing four suspected kidnappers and arresting 88 suspects during a major security operation across both states.
The operation, codenamed “Operation Ko Si Aye” (No Room for Criminals), was launched 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 in Ogun state, the Commissioners of Police of both states, Tijani Fatai and Bode Ojajuni, said the operation was aimed at flushing out kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements operating in forests, highways and border communities within the two states.
Ojajuni disclosed that police tactical teams carried out extensive bush-clearing operations stretching from Lagos into Ogun state, covering areas including Ikeja, Kara Bridge, Redemption Camp, Shagamu Corridor, Owode-Apa, Ogere, Ijebu-Ode, Epe, Ikorodu, Ogijo and Etokin.
According to him, one of the major breakthroughs of the operation was the rescue of five persons abducted 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 police commissioner added that 88 suspects were apprehended across Lagos and Ogun states during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts and forests suspected to be used by criminal gangs.
He said several weapons and other exhibits were recovered, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, assault rifles, English-made pistols, locally fabricated firearms, battle axes and mobile phones.
Ojajuni maintained that the operation had dispelled fears and rumours of widespread bandit activities in the two states, stressing that security operatives did not discover any established bandit camps during the exercise.
Also speaking, Fatai described reports of bandits’ infiltrating Lagos as largely unfounded, saying thorough searches of forests and border communities revealed no organised bandit settlements.
He assured residents that the operation was continuous and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as police sustain efforts to curb kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes across the region.