Bolaji Esther (intern)
The Ogun State Police Command has rescued five kidnap victims abducted along the Ore axis of the Lagos-Ore Expressway and neutralised four suspected kidnappers, less than 24 hours the victims were abducted.
Penpushing reports that the Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni, confirmed this at a press conference explaining that the feat followed an intensive bush-combing operation under Operation Kosaye, a security initiative aimed at flushing out criminal elements from forests and ungoverned spaces across Lagos and Ogun states.
The police boss speaking at Nigeria Police Force Training Ground, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State venue of the press conference described Operation codename ‘Kosaye’ as a strategic initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.
Penpushing further reports that he explained that ‘Operation Kosaye’ was designed to ensure that there is no space for criminals and criminality within Lagos and Ogun states, adding that the operation enjoys the full support of the Governors of Lagos and Ogun states through the provision of logistics and operational resources.
The Commissioner stated that the exercise was aimed at wiping out kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes by clearing forests and criminal hideouts across the two states, disclosing that the operation had cleared criminal hideouts from Ikeja through Kara Bridge, Isheri, Owode-Egba, Ogere, Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-Ode, Ajebandele, J4 on the Ondo State boundary, Epe, Ikorodu, Ogijo and Itoikin.
Penpushing also reports that Ojajuni revealed that apart from rescuing the five kidnapped victims, security operatives neutralised four suspected kidnappers, arrested another four directly linked to the kidnapping operation and apprehended an additional 84 suspects during separate operations across Lagos and Ogun states.
The Commissioner added that several weapons and dangerous items, including AK-47 rifles, English pistols, locally made firearms, ammunition, battle axes, cutlasses and mobile phones, were recovered during the operation.
Penpushing reports that he assured residents that there was no cause for panic, maintaining that the ongoing operation had cleared the forests of criminal elements and that, as of the time of the briefing, no Nigerian was being held captive by kidnappers within the Lagos and Ogun forest corridors.
The police boss disclosed that the command had equally taken note of the security concerns and recommendations made by the rescued victims, particularly regarding the Ogbere corridor where they were abducted, stressing that the police would improve security presence along the route by deploying more personnel.
“We have interviewed the victims, and some of the areas they wanted us to address are areas we are going to work on. We are going to improve security in that particular corridor.’Ojajuni stated
‘Though we already have policemen and checkpoints there, our concern initially was not to inhibit the free flow of traffic. That is why our checkpoints are kilometres apart. However, we are going to increase the presence of policemen in that particular corridor,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that he explained that technology played a critical role in the success of Operation Kosaye, noting that drones were extensively deployed during the bush-clearing exercise.
The Commissioner explained that the use of drones enabled security operatives to identify areas that were previously difficult to access, thereby improving intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness.
“Even before this operation, we have been using technology in most of our operations. With the deployment of drones, we have been able to identify areas that were previously not clear to us, and that is one of the reasons we have achieved this level of success,” he stated.
Penpushing also reports that Ojajuni added that the rescue of the five kidnapped victims was made possible through coordinated intelligence gathering and the deployment of technology, which enabled operatives to locate the kidnappers’ hideout with precision.
The Commissioner added that investigations into those arrested were still ongoing, noting that suspects found culpable would be prosecuted, while those found not to be connected with criminal activities would be screened and released in accordance with the law.
Penpushing reports that Ojajuni stressed that Operation Kosaye would continue and eventually be extended to other parts of the country in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
The Lagos State Police Command Fatai Tijani, on his own part said Operation Kosaye had debunked widespread rumours suggesting that bandits had taken over parts of Lagos and Ogun states.
Penpushing further reports that Tijani said the operation demonstrated the determination of the Nigeria Police Force to protect lives and property, stressing that the exercise would continue until criminal elements were completely driven out of the affected forests.
The Commissioner commended the Inspector-General of Police for initiating the operation and appreciated the Lagos and Ogun State governments for providing the logistics that made the exercise successful.
Penpushing also reports that he expressed confidence that the model would be replicated in other parts of the country through collaboration among commissioners of police in neighbouring states.
The police chieftain noted that the operation, initiated by the Inspector-General of Police, had thoroughly combed the forests stretching from Lagos to the Ogun boundary, leaving no safe haven for criminal elements.
Penpushing reports that Tijani emphasized the operation was proof of the Nigeria Police Force commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that the exercise would not end with the latest rescue but would continue for as long as necessary.
The Commissioner commended the Inspector-General of Police for conceiving the initiative and applauded the governors of Lagos and Ogun states for providing the logistics and support that made the operation successful.
”The result is obvious for everyone to see. The victims have been rescued alive, suspects have been arrested, dangerous weapons have been recovered, and the operation is still ongoing. This demonstrates that the Nigeria Police is fully committed to the security of Nigerians,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that he added that the initiative would serve as a model for commissioners of police in neighbouring states to collaborate in securing forests and highways frequently targeted by criminal gangs.
The rescued victims later recounted their terrifying experiences, describing how they were ambushed by armed kidnappers, marched into the forest and forced to negotiate ransoms running into millions of naira before police operatives stormed the kidnappers’ hideout.
Penpushing also reports that one of the victims, Temiloluwa, narrated that she accepted a ride from a senior manager in her company while travelling for her annual leave on June 25, 2026, explaining that the vehicle came under heavy gunfire around Ogbere after three vehicles collided during the attack.
The survivor stated that the impact caused her face to hit the front seat, knocking out her teeth before the kidnappers surrounded their vehicle, while the driver managed to escape, another passenger stayed behind after noticing she was bleeding profusely.
Penpushing reports that Temiloluwa recalled that the kidnappers forced them out of the vehicle at gunpoint, threatening to attack them with cutlasses, and asked for cash available with her, which was N500
”They asked me what I had with me. I only had N500 which I wanted to use to buy plantain chips. They collected the money, my wristwatch and my bracelet before taking us into the bush,” she said.
Penpushing further reports that she added that the abductors demanded N20 million ransom from her and another victim while communicating mostly in a language she could not understand, recalling that they(captives) spent hours in fear before hearing gunshots close to where they were being held.
”The kidnappers suddenly ran away after hearing the gunshots. At first, we were afraid to come out because we didn’t know whether those approaching were policemen or another group of criminals. One of the women summoned the courage to step out and discovered they were policemen. She shouted for all of us to come out, and that was how we were rescued’, she narrated
Penpushing also reports that Temiloluwa commended the Nigeria Police Force for rescuing them within 24 hours, adding that before now all of them(victims) believed the police could not rescue them
”I sincerely appreciate the Nigeria Police. Before now, many people believed the police could not rescue kidnap victims quickly, but they proved us wrong. They gave us food, first aid treatment and took good care of us after the rescue. I pray that God will continue to strengthen them,” she said.
Penpushing reports that another victim, Mrs. Blessing Nzofor, who sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, broke down in tears as she narrated her ordeal, recalling that the kidnappers ordered passengers to leave their vehicles before opening fire, leaving her seriously wounded.
The female survivor said she watched helplessly as the gunmen dragged her daughter and sister into another vehicle before taking them into the forest, recalling that despite bleeding heavily, she said she struggled to escape with the assistance of her daughter until they reached a nearby police station.
Penpushing further reports that she disclosed that three hospitals initially rejected her because of the severity of her injuries before police officers eventually took her to a general hospital where she received treatment, describing the police officer who assisted her as “God-sent,”
The survivor pointed out that the officer remained with her until she was admitted for treatment, and equally commended the Nigeria Police for what they did for her in saving her life.
Penpushing also reports that another rescued victim, Gbadamosi Jimoh, said all five abductees were rescued alive within 24 hours of their abduction despite the kidnappers’ threats and huge ransom demands.
The survivor who was travelling from Edo State to Ibadan, said the kidnappers demanded an initial ransom of N70 million from him and another victim after discovering they were from the same location.
Penpushing reports that he recalled that the kidnappers later reduced the ransom to N20 million after prolonged negotiations, while demanding N40 million from another group of victims and N10 million from another female captive.
The travelers disclosed that the kidnappers confiscated their mobile phones but occasionally handed them back to enable them contact their relatives on loudspeaker while negotiations continued.
”The kidnappers wanted to hear everything we discussed with our families. Some of them could speak a little Yoruba and English, but they communicated mainly in Fulani language,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that Jimoh explained that throughout their captivity, he remained hopeful and encouraged the other victims not to lose faith despite the uncertainty surrounding their fate.
”I kept telling them that God would save us. Whenever they became afraid or started crying, I encouraged them to remain calm and trust in God. They(kidnappers) questioned why I kept praying. I told them I was a Muslim and Less than 10 minutes after I completed one of my prayers yesterday, the rescue team arrived. It was like watching a movie. I couldn’t believe what was happening until I saw the large number of policemen. That was when I broke down in tears’, he stated
Penpushing also reports that Jimoh commended the Nigeria Police Force for risking their lives to rescue the victims without any ransom being paid, and urged Nigerian Government to further strengthen the operational capacity of the police through the provision of sophisticated weapons, helicopters, drones and other surveillance equipment.
The survivor appealed to the government to clear forests that have become hideouts for kidnappers and convert such areas to productive use, including mechanised farming, stressing that permanent police presence should also be established along the Ogbere corridor to deter criminal activities.
”I also want Nigerians to change their orientation about the police. They are trying. They risked their lives to rescue us, and we should appreciate their sacrifices,” he added.
Penpushing reports that another rescued victim, Mercy Otu, narrated that she and the other captives were initially assured by the kidnappers that they would not be harmed or sexually assaulted despite being held hostage.
The lady said the abductors demanded huge sums of money from each victim while insisting that their families must pay before they could regain their freedom, recalling that they(kidnappers) even provided a longer pair of shorts for one of the female victims before asking all of them to lie on leaves arranged on the ground inside the forest.
”They told us they would not rape us or hurt us, but they insisted that our families must pay ransom. We kept pleading with them and assuring them that our relatives would do everything possible,” she recalled.
Penpushing further reports that Otu said their hopes were rekindled when they suddenly heard gunshots and saw smoke believed to be from tear gas close to where they were being held, adding that the kidnappers immediately fled in different directions while the captives initially remained where they were out of fear.
”My sister wanted to run immediately, but I advised her to stay because we didn’t know who was coming. After a while, she peeped outside and discovered that those approaching were policemen. She shouted that the police had arrived, and we all ran towards them. That was how we regained our freedom’ she said.
Penpushing also reports that she praised the courage and professionalism displayed by the rescue team, saying the officers risked their own lives to save innocent Nigerians.
”I sincerely thank the Nigeria Police. Those kidnappers were dangerous people, yet the police confronted them and rescued us alive. May God continue to protect every police officer and their families’, she prayed.
Penpushing reports that she equally appealed to the Nigerian Government to strengthen security along the Ore-Ogbere corridor by increasing police patrols and checkpoints, adding that the kidnappers claimed they had been operating from the forest for about four months, making sustained security presence necessary.
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