Crime
PHOTOS: Joint Lagos, Ogun security raid frees five abductees, leads to arrests of four kidnap suspects
The joint security operation between the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands has rescued five kidnapped victims and neutralised four suspected kidnappers during a coordinated operation in Ogun.
The Commissioners of Police in Ogun and Lagos states, Mr Bode Ojajuni and Mr Fatai Tijani, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Saturday at the Police Training School, Iperu.
Ojajuni said the five victims were rescued unhurt from a forest around Ogbere, along the J4 corridor of the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.
He explained that four suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while another four were arrested following a gun duel with security operatives.
The commissioner said the success of the operation was achieved through the directives of the Inspector-General of Police (I-GP), Mr Olatunji Disu and the commitment of officers involved.
He added that the Nigeria Police Force had inaugurated Operation “Kosaye” in Lagos and Ogun states to tackle criminal activities and reassure residents of adequate security.
According to him, the operation was formally launched on the directive of the I-G with the support of the governors of both states.
“Operation “Kosaye” means there is no space for criminals and criminality within Lagos and Ogun states.Africans & Diaspora
“The initiative aims to eliminate banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the two neighbouring states.
“It also targets criminal hideouts in forests and other ungoverned spaces used by suspected criminals,” he said.
Ojajuni said extensive operations had been conducted across several communities in both states, including Ogere, Ijebu-Ode, Ajebandele and the J4 corridor in Ogun.
He disclosed that 84 additional suspects were apprehended across Lagos and Ogun during the operation.
According to him, the police recovered AK-47 rifles, other assault weapons, locally made pistols, battle axes, ammunition, mobile phones and other exhibits linked to criminal activities.
The commissioner reaffirmed the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in both states.
He reiterated that the operation would continue and could eventually be extended to other parts of the country.
In his remarks, Tijani dismissed widespread rumours that bandits had infiltrated and taken over parts of Lagos and Ogun, saying ongoing security operations had proved such claims to be false.
He said the joint operation, initiated by the IGP, involved coordinated security sweeps across border communities, forests and other identified criminal hideouts stretching from Lagos into Ogun state.
According to him, the exercise has already yielded significant results, including the arrest of suspects, rescue of victims and recovery of weapons and other exhibits.
“Our personnel thoroughly combed forests and other identified locations, and the operation is not a one-off exercise. It will continue for as long as necessary to keep our communities safe,” he said.
Tijani said the IGP had directed commissioners of police in neighbouring states to collaborate closely in securing border corridors and dismantling criminal networks operating across state boundaries.
He commended the governors of Lagos and Ogun for providing the logistics and support that made the operation possible.
“The results speak for themselves. You have seen the rescued victims, the suspects arrested and the recoveries made. This is evidence that we are serious about securing our people,” he said.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue supporting the police with credible information, assuring them that the force remained committed to safeguarding lives and property.
Speaking with journalists after his rescue, one of the victims, Mr Jimoh Badamosi, 58, recounted his ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers and praised the police for securing their freedom.
Badamosi said he was travelling to Ibadan when armed men attacked motorists around the Ogbere Forest, shooting sporadically before forcing occupants out of their vehicles.
According to him, the gunmen collected their mobile phones, wallets and other valuables before marching five victims from three different vehicles into the forest.
He said the kidnappers later demanded ransom, asking his family to pay N40 million, while his colleague was asked to produce N30 million.
The victim said they had spent less than 24 hours in captivity when they suddenly heard gunshots, forcing the kidnappers to flee.
“We later heard the kidnappers saying the Nigeria Police had come. They ordered us to lie down, but when we heard police officers calling out, we crawled towards them and were rescued,” he said.
Badamosi commended the police and urged them not to relent in the fight against kidnapping.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to equip the police with more sophisticated weapons, establish additional security checkpoints and ensure forests are properly secured.
Other rescued victims also narrated their experiences and appreciated the police for the swift response that led to their rescue alive. (NAN)
FOLLOW US ON:
Crime
27 suspected hoodlums arrested for breaking pillars on Festac-Alakija bridge and harvesting the metals used for the bridge’s reinforcement
The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals in separate intelligence-led operations in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas of the state.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, August 7, 2026 said 35 mobile phones were recovered from the men.
According to the PPRO, three of the suspects, Younas Mohammad, Ahmad Nunil, and Aslam Muhammad, were arrested on August 4 at Adoka Motor Park in Otukpo Local Government Area while allegedly attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.
The suspects claimed that they were in Otukpo to market cosmetics and mobile gadgets.
However, the police said none of the claimed products was found in their possession, raising questions about their activities and movements.
In a separate operation on August 5, police arrested two other Pakistani nationals, Juma Sharif and Muhammed Sharif, at a hotel in Ugbokolo.
The two suspects reportedly claimed to be dealers in Android phones.
A search of their belongings led to the recovery of 11 Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones.
Further investigation resulted in the recovery of 23 additional Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one Infinix Hot 60, bringing the total to 35 mobile phones.
“The Benue State Police Command has arrested five Pakistani nationals and recovered thirty-five (35) mobile phones in separate intelligence-led operations conducted in Otukpo and Ugbokolo areas,” the statement read.
“On 4th August 2026, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three Pakistanis at Adoka Motor Park, Otukpo Local Government Area. The suspects, identified as Younas Mohammad, 36; Ahmad Nunil, 38; and Aslam Muhammad, 46, were intercepted while attempting to board a vehicle to Adoka village.
“During preliminary questioning, the suspects stated that they were in Otukpo for the purpose of marketing cosmetics and mobile gadgets none of which were found in their possession. This made their explanation, activities and movements within the area suspicious, requiring more clarification.
“In a separate operation on 5th August 2026, two other Pakistanis, Juma Sharif, 30, and Muhammed Sharif, 25, were arrested at a local hotel in Ugbokolo following credible intelligence received by the Police.
“The two suspects claimed to be dealers in Android phones. A search of their belongings led to the recovery of eleven (11) Tecno Camon 50 Pro mobile phones.
“Further investigation and operational follow-up resulted in the recovery of an additional twenty-three (23) Tecno Camon 50 Pro phones and one (1) Infinix Hot 60 phone, bringing the total number of recovered mobile phones to thirty-five (35).
“The five suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi, where discreet and comprehensive investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence, activities and movements within the State.
“It is strongly suspected that the possession of those mobile phones is a decoy for their clandestine activities in the rural areas of the state. This is even more probable as they hardly speak or understand english.
“The Benue State Police Command reassures members of the public that the operations form part of its proactive, intelligence-led policing strategy aimed at identifying potential security threats, preventing criminal activities and safeguarding lives and property across the State.
“The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP CLETUS C. N. NWADIOGBU, psc(+), mnips, PhD, commends the officers involved in the operations and members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrests.
“He further urges residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the Police.
“The Command will continue to work with relevant stakeholders and members of the public to maintain peace and security across Benue State. The public will be updated as the investigation progress.”
FOLLOW US ON:
NLC demands N500k minimum wage, says current N70k minimum wage is no longer sustainable
PHOTOS: Security operatives rescue kidnap victim in Rivers
Canada updates Visa processing times for Nigerians as study permit wait rises
‘Sleeping Prince’ of Saudi Arabia dies after 20 years in coma
How A Class Of 24 Students Produced 2 Presidents, 4 Governors, 2 Ministers, 4 Emirs, 3 Justices, 4 Ambassadors and Other Influential Leaders
