Police Rescue 5, Arrest 88 In Lagos-Ogun Forest Raid

The Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands have rescued five kidnap victims and arrested 88 suspects during a coordinated raid on criminal hideouts in the forests along the interstate border.

The joint operation, which targeted notorious criminal enclaves, was launched following credible intelligence about the activities of armed gangs using the dense forest areas as bases for kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes.

According to police sources, the raid led to the successful rescue of five persons who had been held in captivity, while 88 suspects were apprehended and taken into custody for profiling and further questioning. The suspects are alleged to be members of various criminal syndicates operating across the two states.

Police authorities commended the gallantry, coordination, and professionalism of the operatives involved, describing the operation as a significant blow to the criminal networks that have terrorised communities in the region.

The command reiterated its commitment to sustained clearance operations to flush out criminals from forest hideouts, restore peace to affected areas, and dismantle cross-border criminal networks.

The forests along the Lagos-Ogun axis have, in recent times, become notorious as safe havens for kidnappers, armed robbers, and cultists, who exploit the difficult terrain and dense vegetation to evade security forces and plan attacks on motorists, residents, and travellers.

The joint raid underscores the growing inter-state security collaboration aimed at tackling criminality that transcends state boundaries, with both commands pooling resources, intelligence, and personnel for maximum impact.

The arrested suspects are expected to be thoroughly investigated and charged to court upon the conclusion of the probe. Police have also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, warning that the clearance of forest hideouts will remain a top priority in the fight against insecurity.

The development has been welcomed by residents and stakeholders, who have long called for more aggressive and coordinated security operations to curb the rising wave of forest-based crimes in the region.

The Lagos and Ogun Police Commands assured the public of their determination to sustain the offensive, recover stolen items, and ensure that all apprehended suspects face the full weight of the law.