Police operatives in a joint operation have neutralized four kidnap suspects and rescued five victims within 24 hours near the Ogbere Forest in Ogun State, in the latest move against kidnapping gangs operating in the area.
The action saw security forces free the five victims who had been held in the forest area, while four suspects linked to the kidnapping were neutralised during the operation.
The joint operation is codenamed Kosaye, a word that means no space in the Yoruba dialect, a reference to the intention of denying kidnappers any room to operate within the forests targeted by the security forces.
The operation was formally launched in Lagos and Ogun states on the marching order of the Inspector General of Police, with the police stressing that the codename signals there is no space for criminalities and criminals.
According to the police, the operation is being carried out jointly across Lagos and Ogun states, and is to be sustained consistently across the forests of the two states rather than treated as a one-off intervention.
The latest action was triggered by a circulating video that alerted road users and security personnel that kidnappers were holding another set of victims in the forest area in Ogun State, drawing public attention to the situation.
News of the incident prompted an immediate response from police officers in Lagos and Ogun states, who moved into the area in a coordinated effort that led to the rescue of the victims and action against the suspects.
Authorities indicated that the joint operation will continue across the forests of both states, as security forces seek to dismantle kidnapping networks that have used the forested areas along the corridor as hideouts.