Operation Ko Saye: Police rescue five kidnap victims, arrest 95 suspects in Lagos, Ogun crackdown

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands have recorded a major breakthrough in the ongoing Operation Ko S’Aye, rescuing five kidnapped victims, neutralising four suspected kidnappers and arresting 95 suspects within 48 hours of the launch of the joint security operation.

The coordinated operation, which targeted criminal hideouts along the forest boundaries between Lagos and Ogun states at the J3/J4 axis of Ogbere in Ogun State, also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition and other exhibits.

In an update on Sunday, the Lagos State Police Command said the operation had reinforced the Nigeria Police Force’s resolve to ensure there was “no hiding place for criminals, especially kidnappers, through intelligence-led operations and sustained security efforts.”

The Command added that Operation Ko S’Aye would continue to sustain pressure on criminal elements operating within the Lagos-Ogun corridor.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command said its operatives also recorded significant operational successes across the state through intelligence-led policing, strategic patrols and swift tactical interventions in Ilaro, Ibafo, Mowe, Adatan and Ode-Remo.

According to the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, seven suspects were arrested for offences bordering on armed robbery, one-chance robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms and obtaining money by false pretence.

He said the operations led to the recovery of a stolen Toyota Venza, three firearms comprising two locally fabricated pistols and a Dane gun, a Toyota Camry allegedly used by a one-chance robbery syndicate, 17 stolen mobile phones, an HP EliteBook laptop, two expended cartridges, three power banks, a rechargeable touch light and ₦1.1 million recovered from a suspected travel fraudster.

Babaseyi said operatives of the Ilaro Area Command recovered the stolen Toyota Venza during a stop-and-search operation before tracing its rightful owner in Ede, Osun State, where it had been stolen during an armed robbery attack.

He added that detectives at Ibafo Division dismantled a suspected one-chance robbery syndicate after arresting two suspects and recovering the vehicle allegedly used for the criminal operation.

In another operation, police arrested a suspected travel fraudster in Mowe after he allegedly collected ₦1.276 million from a 21-year-old victim under the guise of facilitating his travel to Luxembourg. Police said ₦1.1 million was recovered and released to the complainant.

At Adatan Division, operatives arrested a suspected cultist and recovered two locally fabricated pistols, while officers at Ode-Remo Division foiled an armed robbery attack on students, recovering a Dane gun, 17 stolen mobile phones, a laptop and other valuables abandoned by fleeing suspects.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended officers for their professionalism and bravery during the operations.

“The Command remains unwavering in its commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, inter-agency collaboration and sustained pressure against all forms of criminality across Ogun State,” the Commissioner said.

He warned criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law, assuring residents that the police would continue to deploy lawful operational strategies to protect lives and property.

The Lagos State Police Command also reaffirmed that Operation Ko S’Aye would be sustained until criminal gangs operating within the Lagos-Ogun border communities are completely dismantled.

The two Commands urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and the arrest of offenders.