Inside Operation Kosaye and Ogun’s new security doctrine, By Seyi Bakare

Operation Kosaye is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s security strategy in Ogun State, Nigeria, signaling a significant shift in how the region tackles cross-border crime. More than just a police operation, it represents a new doctrine of intelligence-led policing designed to dismantle the sanctuaries criminals have long exploited along the Lagos-Ogun border.

For years, the forests bordering Lagos and Ogun states, particularly the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode corridor, were notorious for danger. Motorists feared traveling after dark, farmers hesitated to enter the bush, and residents lived under the constant threat of kidnappers and armed robbers. Operation Kosaye, whose name means "there is no hiding place" in Yoruba, has begun to change this narrative within weeks of its launch.

The operation, conceived by Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu and executed through the joint efforts of Ogun State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni and his Lagos State counterpart Fatai Tijani, focuses on forests, border settlements, and ungoverned spaces. Its immediate impact has been significant: rescued kidnap victims, neutralized suspects, numerous arrests, and the recovery of sophisticated weapons and the destruction of criminal camps.

Authorities emphasize that Operation Kosaye is not a temporary show of force. Supported by aerial surveillance, robust intelligence gathering, and sustained inter-state collaboration, it is designed as a continuous effort to permanently secure these areas. This sustained approach aims to ensure that criminal gangs can no longer rely on these forests as safe havens, potentially serving as a template for tackling similar challenges across Nigeria.

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Kosaye means there is no hiding place.