Matilda Omonaiye/
The Ogun State Police Command has intensified its offensive against crime under the ongoing Operation Kosaye, arresting 43 suspects during a major midnight raid on a notorious criminal hideout and charging all of them to court, as the total number of prosecutions under the initiative climbed to 76.
The latest operation, carried out by operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, targeted a black spot at Isheri-Olofin along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, opposite the Kara Cattle Market, where suspected cultists, drug peddlers, prostitutes and other criminal elements reportedly established a base.
Police said the raid, conducted at about 11 p.m. on July 7 following credible intelligence, was another major breakthrough in the intelligence-driven crime-fighting strategy introduced by the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, to dismantle criminal networks and reclaim public spaces from criminals.
The operation, led by SWAT Commander CSP Murphy, resulted in the arrest of 43 suspects comprising 28 men and 15 women.
A comprehensive search of the premises led to the recovery of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, “Loud” and other hard drugs, 10 mobile phones, four power banks, a rechargeable hand fan, a cross-body bag containing two ATM cards and a National Identity Card, as well as other items believed to be linked to criminal activities.
Following investigations, all 43 suspects were arraigned before a competent court and remanded in a correctional facility.
They are facing charges ranging from criminal conspiracy, unlawful society membership, unlawful assembly, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, disorderly conduct, unlawful possession and use of suspected cannabis, prostitution, operating an unlicensed brothel, living on the earnings of prostitution, and other related offences under Ogun State laws.
The Command disclosed that some of the suspects are already providing investigators with useful information that could assist in solving other criminal cases, while follow-up operations are underway to apprehend additional suspects and dismantle linked criminal networks.
Police also revealed that the latest prosecutions have increased the total number of suspects charged to court under Operation Kosaye to 76, comprising 33 suspects prosecuted during the initial phase of the operation and the newly arraigned 43 suspects.
According to the Command, the figures demonstrate that the operation is focused not only on arrests but also on ensuring diligent investigation and successful prosecution of offenders.
Commending the SWAT operatives, CP Ojajuni praised their professionalism, discipline and resilience, describing the latest raid as another significant milestone in the sustained implementation of Operation Kosaye.
He declared that Ogun State would remain an unfriendly environment for criminals, warning that criminal hideouts, drug joints, cult enclaves and brothels serving as covers for illegal activities would continue to be identified, raided and dismantled.
The Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible intelligence to the Police, assuring them that the Command would sustain intelligence-led policing, proactive tactical operations and community partnerships to safeguard lives and property across the state.
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