By James Ogunnaike
The Ogun State Police Command said it arrested 43 suspected criminals during a late-night raid on a notorious criminal hideout in the Isheri-Olofin area of the state by Operation Kosaye.
The suspects, comprising 28 males and 15 females, were apprehended by operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit during an intelligence-led operation carried out at about 11:00 p.m. on July 7, 2026, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway opposite the Kara Cattle Market.
Police also recovered 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 exhibits believed to be linked to criminal activities.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that the location had become a haven for cultists, drug users, prostitutes and other criminal elements.
According to him, the Commander of the SWAT Unit, CSP Murphy, immediately deployed operatives to the area, leading to the successful raid and arrest of the suspects.
Babaseyi disclosed that following investigations, all 43 suspects had been arraigned before a competent court and remanded in the appropriate correctional facility.
He said they are facing charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, membership of an unlawful society, unlawful assembly, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, disorderly conduct, unlawful possession and use of suspected cannabis, prostitution, operating and managing an unlicensed brothel, living on the earnings of prostitution, and other related offences under the laws of Ogun State.
The police spokesman further revealed that some of the suspects were already assisting investigators with useful information that could lead to the arrest of other members of criminal networks operating within and outside the area.
He added that with the latest prosecution, the total number of suspects charged to court since the commencement of Operation Kosaye has risen to 76, comprising 33 suspects prosecuted during the initial phase of the operation and the additional 43 suspects arraigned after the latest raid.
Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the SWAT operatives for what he described as their professionalism, discipline and operational effectiveness.
“The success of this operation is another significant milestone in the sustained implementation of Operation Kosaye. Ogun State will remain hostile terrain for criminals, and all criminal hideouts, drug joints, brothels used as covers for criminal activities, cult enclaves and other black spots will continue to be identified, raided and dismantled,” the Commissioner said.
Ojajuni reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and strategic community partnerships to protect lives and property across the state.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting the Police with timely, credible and actionable information. The Command will sustain robust tactical operations and proactive policing strategies to preserve public peace, maintain law and order, and ensure that criminal elements have no safe haven in Ogun State,” he added.
The Police Command also appealed to members of the public to report suspicious persons and activities through its emergency response channels, assuring residents that prompt action will be taken on all credible information received.
