From Our Correspondent – Abeokuta

Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Ogun State Police Command have recorded another major breakthrough under the ongoing Operation KOSAYE, arresting forty-three (43) suspects during a coordinated raid on a notorious criminal hideout and recovering suspected hard drugs, ten (10) mobile phones, and other incriminating exhibits.

The latest success further underscores the effectiveness of the intelligence-led and proactive policing strategies being implemented by the Ogun State Police Command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni to dismantle criminal networks, eliminate criminal hideouts, and enhance public safety across Ogun State.

The operation was conducted at about 11:00 p.m. on 7th July, Black following credible intelligence that a notorious black spot located around Isheri-Olofin, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway opposite Kara Cattle Market, had become a haven for criminal elements involved in cult-related activities, drug abuse, prostitution, and other crimes.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the Commander, SWAT, CSP Murphy, deployed operatives to execute a coordinated raid on the location.

The operation resulted in the arrest of forty-three (43) suspects, comprising twenty-eight (28) males and fifteen (15) females. A thorough search of the premises led to the recovery of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, “Loud,” and other hard drugs, ten (10) mobile phones, four (4) power banks, one (1) rechargeable hand fan, one (1) cross-body bag containing two (2) ATM cards and one (1) National Identity Card, alongside other exhibits reasonably suspected to be connected with criminal activities.

Following diligent investigation, all forty-three (43) suspects were charged before the court and remanded at the appropriate correctional facility. They are being prosecuted for offences 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 relevant laws of Ogun State.

Investigation has further revealed that some of the suspects are assisting the Police with useful information relating to other criminal cases currently under investigation by the Command. Follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend other suspects and unravel additional criminal networks linked to the cases.

The Command further disclosed that with the prosecution of the forty-three (43) suspects arrested during this latest raid, the total number of suspects charged to court since the commencement of Operation KOSAYE has risen to seventy-six (76), comprising thirty-three (33) suspects prosecuted during the initial phase of the operation and the additional forty-three (43) suspects charged following this latest enforcement action. This reflects the Command’s commitment not only to making arrests but also to ensuring diligent investigation and successful prosecution of criminal offenders.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the professionalism, discipline, resilience, and operational effectiveness of the SWAT operatives, describing the operation as another significant milestone in the sustained implementation of Operation KOSAYE.

The CP reaffirmed that Ogun State will remain hostile terrain for criminals and warned that 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. He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting the Police with timely, credible, and actionable information, assuring them that the Command will sustain intelligence-led policing, robust tactical operations, and strategic community partnerships to protect lives, secure property, and preserve public peace and order.

Members of the public are encouraged to promptly report suspicious persons and activities through the following channels.

Spokesman for the Command DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed the story.

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