Lagos Police Arrest 147 Suspects, Recover 250 Cartridges, Machetes in Fresh Operation KO S’AYE Raid

Femi Ashekun/

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 147 suspects and recovered 250 expanded cartridges, 22 machetes, battle axes, knives, suspected cannabis and other dangerous items during the latest phase of its ongoing Operation KO S’AYE, an intelligence-led crackdown on criminal hideouts across the state.

The raid, conducted in the early hours of Sunday, targeted criminal enclaves at Boolar, Super Ile-Epo and other identified black spots following what the police described as credible intelligence.

According to the command, the coordinated operation involved officers drawn from several tactical and conventional formations and was aimed at dismantling locations allegedly used by hoodlums and other criminal elements.

Among the exhibits recovered were 250 expanded cartridges, 22 machetes, five battle axes, two knives, a pair of scissors, a lighter, assorted charms and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

All 147 suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue to determine their individual involvement in criminal activities. Those found culpable will be charged to court, the police said.

The latest operation underscores the sustained momentum of Operation KO S’AYE, the joint security initiative launched by the Nigeria Police Force to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across Lagos and neighbouring Ogun State through intelligence-driven operations.

The operation has recorded a string of notable successes since its launch less than a month ago.

During its initial deployment across the Lagos-Ogun corridor, police operatives rescued five kidnapped victims, neutralised four suspected kidnappers and arrested 88 suspects while combing forests and criminal hideouts along the border communities.

Arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons were also recovered during the exercise.

In Lagos, an earlier Operation KO S’AYE raid in the Igando and Idimu axis resulted in the arrest of 150 suspects.

Police recovered 100 unregistered motorcycles, firearms, military camouflage uniforms, suspected stolen generators, illicit drugs and other exhibits in what authorities described as one of the command’s largest coordinated clearance operations this year.

The operation has also attracted commendation from Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who described it as a proactive and intelligence-led initiative that has strengthened security across the Lagos-Ogun corridor.

The governor said the sustained offensive against criminal networks had made both states increasingly hostile to kidnappers and other violent offenders while restoring public confidence in policing.

Lagos Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai praised officers involved in the latest operation for their professionalism and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining Operation KO S’AYE across the state.

He urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information capable of exposing criminal hideouts and facilitating the arrest of offenders, stressing that the command remains determined to ensure there is no safe haven for criminals anywhere in Lagos.