Afenifere backs Operation Kosaye, commends Lagos-Ogun kidnap crackdown

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Commissioners of Police in Ogun and Lagos states for what it described as their decisive response to banditry and kidnapping along the Sagamu-Ore Road corridor.

In a letter of commendation made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, issued on behalf of Afenifere leader Chief Reuben Fasoranti and signed by the group’s National Organising Secretary, Abagun Omololu, the organisation praised the coordinated security operations for restoring confidence and significantly reducing criminal activities along the corridor.

“We commend the Inspector-General of Police, the Governors of Ogun and Lagos States, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as the Commissioners of Police in both states, for their decisive response to banditry and kidnapping along the notorious Sagamu-Ore Road corridor,” the statement read.

Afenifere described the joint operation as “a demonstration of purposeful leadership, professional policing and effective inter-state collaboration,” adding that the commitment shown by the Ogun and Lagos State governments had created an enabling environment for security agencies to discharge their constitutional responsibilities effectively.

The group also praised the Inspector-General of Police for providing strategic operational direction and advancing intelligence-led policing, saying the approach had strengthened the Nigeria Police Force’s capacity to combat organised crime.

It singled out the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Olubode Ojajuni, for special commendation, saying his knowledge of the operational terrain underscored the importance of local intelligence in tackling criminality.

The organisation equally applauded the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for deploying operational resources, specialised equipment and logistics that contributed significantly to the success of the joint operation.

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Reaffirming its support for sustained security operations, Afenifere declared that there would be no safe haven for kidnappers, bandits and other violent criminals in Yorubaland.

“The message is unequivocal: ‘KOSAYE’—there is no place for evil in Yorubaland. Those who seek to threaten the peace, security and prosperity of our people will continue to face the full weight of the law,” the statement added.

Afenifere also expressed appreciation to the security agencies and political leaders for their efforts in tackling violent crime.

“The Yoruba people remain grateful to the security agencies and political leaders for this exemplary display of courage, dedication and public service in the ongoing fight against violent crime,” it said.

The commendation followed the launch of Operation Kosaye, a joint security offensive by the Lagos and Ogun State police commands targeting criminal networks operating along the border corridor between the two states.

The operation, whose name translates to “there is no hiding place” in Yoruba, was launched to dismantle kidnapping syndicates, armed robbery gangs and other violent criminal groups exploiting forests and border communities in both states as hideouts.

The coordinated operation has so far led to the arrest of 88 suspects, the rescue of five kidnapped victims, the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the killing of four suspected kidnappers during encounters with security operatives.