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)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Command, has foiled an attempted pipeline vandalism operation and recovered several items allegedly used by the suspects at Obazagbon Community in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
The State Commandant, Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ogbebor Efosa.
The commandant said, “On July 16, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Vandal Unit, working in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Pipeline Security and Surveillance, were on a routine patrol along the NNPC pipeline corridor at Obazagbon when they encountered a group of suspected pipeline vandals excavating and vandalising the pipeline.
“Upon sighting the security operatives, the suspects opened fire in a desperate attempt to escape. The NSCDC personnel responded, forcing the criminals to abandon the operation and flee into the surrounding bush.
“Items recovered from the scene include five long gas cylinders, two motorcycles, two shovels and two digger heads.”
The commandant described the operation as another major breakthrough in the command’s sustained efforts to protect Nigeria’s critical national assets and infrastructure.
He warned criminal elements and their sponsors to stay away from government facilities, particularly oil and gas installations, stressing that the command remained resolute in its mandate to safeguard critical infrastructure.
“Our operatives are already on the trail of the fleeing suspects. They cannot evade justice forever. We are committed to apprehending everyone connected with this criminal act, including their sponsors and collaborators, and ensuring they face the full weight of the law,” he added.
The commandant appealed to residents of Edo State to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely information that would help prevent acts of vandalism and other criminal activities.
He also assured members of the public that all information received would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Ayinla reaffirmed the commitment of the NSCDC Edo State Command to working closely with sister security agencies and relevant stakeholders to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, as well as ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared an alleged drug kingpin, Nnamuka Kelvin Uchenna (a.k.a Odogwu) and three of his associates: Emmanuella Chinonso Iroka; Nnamuka Ifeanyi Kingsley and Ekechi Franklin Chijioke (a.k.a Ekene Okwunaga) wanted over their involvement in the establishment of a clandestine laboratory, production of methamphetamine and drug money laundering.
In a statement released this morning July 17, the spokesperson of the agency, Femi Babafemi, said the suspects were declared wanted based on the order of Justice Iniekenimi Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Owerri, Imo state, following an application by NDLEA in suit number FHC/OW/CS/22/2026 filed before the court on 3rd July 2026.
Babafemi said this followed the discovery of a methamphetamine producing clandestine laboratory where 18.4 kilograms of the illicit substance and other items were recovered by NDLEA operatives at Isiozi in Umuaka, Njaba local government area of Imo state on 25th February 2026. Investigations later linked the wanted suspects to the meth lab, and have since then gone into hiding.
‘’Through forensic investigation of the meth syndicate by NDLEA operatives, bank accounts linked to the wanted suspects with a combined balance of Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Six Naira, Sixty Six Kobo (N9,840,873,566.66) only was frozen while the Agency has secured interim forfeiture orders covering multibillion naira assets owned by members of the syndicate including: a filling station, multi-storey residential buildings and four Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) marked RLU 148 AJ; KJA 563 FZ; BWR 249 DY and FST 208 HU.”Babafemi said
Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and operatives involved in the operation, describing it as a clear demonstration of the Agency’s resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks and disrupt the financial architecture that sustains them.
“This latest operation reaffirms our unwavering commitment to tracking down drug kingpins and their collaborators, no matter how sophisticated their network or how long they attempt to evade justice. The discovery of this clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Njaba, and the subsequent freezing of nearly ten billion naira in illicit funds, alongside the forfeiture of a filling station, multi-storey buildings and four exotic SUVs, sends an unambiguous message that the illegal drug business is no longer a safe haven for criminals seeking to launder their ill-gotten wealth through legitimate enterprises.
I want to assure Nigerians that the Agency will not relent in going after the fleeing suspects and anyone else linked to this syndicate. We will continue to deploy financial and forensic intelligence to trace, freeze and forfeit assets acquired through drug trafficking, just as we will not hesitate to invoke the full weight of the law against fugitives who think they can hide from justice. NigerianSecurity Information
I appeal to members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspects to volunteer such information to the nearest NDLEA office or through our confidential lines, as we remain committed to ridding our communities of the scourge of drug trafficking and its attendant social and economic harm”, Marwa stated.
The Kogi State Government has announced the rescue of the four persons abducted during the recent attack on an unauthorised examination centre in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, describing the rescue as the outcome of a coordinated security operation ordered by Governor Usman Ododo immediately after the incident.
According to the commissioner, Ododo directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd.), to coordinate a joint rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, local vigilantes and other security agencies.
“Shortly after the kidnapping incident, the governor directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd.), to coordinate the rescue operation.
“The State Security Adviser and the leadership of the 12 Brigade and the 21 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the police and local security operatives stormed the forest to ensure the victims were rescued.
“Just this evening, while inspecting the Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the Kogi State Government to strengthen the fight against criminality, the governor assured newsmen that every effort was being made to secure the release of the victims.
“A few hours later, the victims regained their freedom. The sustained pressure on the kidnappers and the saturation of the forest by heavily armed security personnel forced the criminals to abandon the victims and flee.
“Security operatives remain in the forest, and the operation is still ongoing.
“We are determined to ensure that none of the criminals escapes justice. Our resolve is clear: anyone who chooses the path of crime in Kogi State will face the full weight of the law.
“We can confirm that the school principal, the NECO official and the two students have all been rescued safely.
“They are hale and hearty and are currently with security agencies for debriefing and necessary medical checks,” he said.
Fanwo commended the gallantry and professionalism of personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Service, the Police, local vigilantes and other security agencies involved in the rescue operation, describing their swift response as further evidence of effective inter-agency collaboration in tackling insecurity.
The commissioner also expressed the Kogi State Government’s appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting the state’s security efforts.
“The President directed the heads of the security agencies to give Kogi every necessary support to rescue the victims. Today, that support has yielded the desired result. We are deeply grateful to Mr President for standing firmly with Kogi State in our determination to protect lives and property.”
He reiterated that the Ododo administration would not relent in its efforts to rid every part of the state of criminal elements, assuring residents that the government would continue to invest in intelligence gathering, security logistics and inter-agency collaboration to keep the state safe.
