Operation Kosaye: 88 Suspects Arrested, Five Kidnap Victims Rescued — Is This the Security Model Nigeria Has Been Waiting For?

Akahi News learnt that the Nigeria Police Force has officially launched Operation Kosaye, a joint security operation involving the Lagos State and Ogun State Police Commands, aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks, violent criminal gangs and criminal hideouts operating across both states.

Akahi News gathered that the operation has already recorded significant successes. Police disclosed that five kidnapped victims were rescued alive, four suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while 88 criminal suspects were arrested during coordinated raids across forests, border communities and suspected criminal hideouts in Lagos and Ogun states.

Akahi News learnt that the operation was launched at the Police Training School, Iperu-Remo, by the Commissioners of Police for Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, and Lagos State, Fatai Tijani. According to the police, the initiative was introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, with logistical support from the governments of Lagos and Ogun States. The name “Kosaye”, a Yoruba expression, means “there is no hiding place for criminals.”

What Exactly Has Changed

For years, kidnappers have exploited the thick forests and boundary communities linking Lagos and Ogun States as escape routes after carrying out attacks.

Operation Kosaye represents a shift from reactive policing to coordinated offensive operations against criminal networks before they strike again.

The early results are encouraging.

Rescuing kidnapped victims within a short period demonstrates what coordinated intelligence, inter-state collaboration and adequate logistics can achieve.

However, the operation’s true success should not be measured solely by the number of arrests.

Many Nigerians have witnessed security operations that began with impressive statistics but gradually lost momentum after public attention faded.

The greater challenge will be sustaining the operation over time.

Criminal groups often regroup, relocate or change tactics whenever security pressure eases.

Another important issue concerns prosecution.

Arrests alone do not guarantee justice.

If investigations are weak or prosecutions fail, dangerous suspects may eventually return to society.

Long-term success will therefore depend on strong investigations, diligent prosecution and continuous intelligence gathering.

Operation Kosaye also offers an important lesson for Nigeria’s wider security architecture.

Criminals rarely respect state boundaries.

Security operations should therefore increasingly emphasise inter-state cooperation rather than isolated command structures.

Five Things Every Nigerian Should Know

1. Operation Kosaye is a joint security initiative

The operation combines the resources of the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands to combat kidnapping and violent crime.

2. Five kidnapped victims have been rescued

Police successfully rescued five victims during operations around the Ijebu-Ode/Ogbere forest corridor.

3. Eighty-eight suspects have been arrested

The arrests followed raids on forests, border communities, criminal camps and illegal hideouts across both states.

4. Four suspected kidnappers were killed during the operation

Police said the suspects were neutralised during rescue operations, while additional suspects were arrested.

5. The operation is expected to continue

Authorities say the operation will remain active to deny criminals safe havens within Lagos, Ogun and adjoining communities.

Reflective Questions Worth Sitting With

i. Can Operation Kosaye become a permanent model for fighting kidnapping across Nigeria?

ii. Why did criminal camps remain active in forests and border communities for so long before this operation?

iii. Will the arrested suspects be successfully prosecuted, or will weak investigations undermine the operation?

iv. Should neighbouring states adopt similar joint security frameworks to tackle cross-border crimes?

v. Beyond policing, what social and economic reforms are needed to reduce recruitment into kidnapping gangs?

vi. How can local communities contribute intelligence without exposing themselves to retaliation?

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i. Operation Kosaye should be sustained beyond its initial launch to prevent criminals from regrouping.

ii. Security agencies should strengthen intelligence-sharing across neighbouring states facing similar security threats.

iii. Every arrested suspect should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted where sufficient evidence exists.

iv. Governments should continue investing in surveillance technology, drones and modern policing equipment for forest operations.

v. Community policing should be strengthened to encourage timely reporting of suspicious movements.

vi. Periodic public updates should be provided to maintain transparency and public confidence in the operation.

Questions And Answers: Breaking Down The Development

Who is affected?

i. Residents of Lagos and Ogun States.

ii. Kidnapping victims and their families.

iii. Security agencies operating across both states.

iv. Criminal gangs using forest corridors and border communities.

v. Travellers using major highways linking Lagos and Ogun.

vi. Local communities vulnerable to kidnapping and violent crime.

What happened?

i. The Nigeria Police Force launched Operation Kosaye.

ii. Five kidnapped victims were rescued.

iii. Four suspected kidnappers were neutralised.

iv. Eighty-eight criminal suspects were arrested.

v. Criminal camps and illegal hideouts were dismantled.

When did it happen?

i. The operation was officially launched on 27 June 2026.

ii. The rescue operations and arrests were carried out before and during the formal launch.

Where did it happen?

i. Lagos State.

ii. Ogun State.

iii. Police Training School, Iperu-Remo.

iv. Forest corridors, border communities and the Ijebu-Ode/Ogbere axis, where the rescued victims were recovered.

Why is this operation important?

i. It targets kidnapping and violent crimes across two neighbouring states.

ii. It strengthens inter-state security cooperation.

iii. It seeks to eliminate criminal hideouts in forests and border communities.

iv. It aims to restore public confidence in law enforcement.

v. It demonstrates a more proactive approach to tackling organised crime.

How will the operation continue?

i. Police say continuous raids will target forests and criminal enclaves.

ii. Intelligence gathering will be intensified.

iii. Additional suspects and criminal camps will be pursued.

iv. Security collaboration between Lagos and Ogun commands will continue.

v. Authorities say there will be no hiding place for kidnappers and other violent criminals under Operation Kosaye.