By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 43 suspects during a raid on a notorious criminal hideout in Isheri-Olofin along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, opposite Kara Cattle Market, as part of its ongoing Operation Kosaye.
The Command said the operation, carried out by operatives of its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, also led to the recovery of suspected hard drugs, 10 mobile phones and other exhibits believed to be connected with criminal activities.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the raid was conducted at about 11:00 p.m. on July 7 following credible intelligence that the location had become a haven for cult-related activities, drug abuse, prostitution and other criminal acts.
The statement said the Commander of SWAT, CSP Murphy, led operatives on the intelligence-driven operation, resulting in the arrest of 43 suspects comprising 28 males and 15 females.
Items recovered during the operation include substances suspected to be Indian hemp, “Loud” and other hard drugs, 10 mobile phones, four power banks, one rechargeable hand fan, one cross-body bag containing two ATM cards and one National Identity Card, as well as other exhibits.
The Police said investigations were concluded and all 43 suspects have been charged before the court and remanded in the appropriate correctional facility.
According to the Command, the suspects 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 relevant laws of Ogun State.
The Command added that some of the suspects are assisting investigators with useful information relating to other criminal cases, while follow-up operations are ongoing to arrest other suspects and dismantle additional criminal networks.
It disclosed that with the latest prosecution, the total number of suspects charged to court since the commencement of Operation Kosaye has increased to 76, comprising 33 suspects prosecuted during the initial phase of the operation and the additional 43 suspects from the latest raid.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the professionalism and resilience of the SWAT operatives, describing the operation as another milestone in the implementation of Operation Kosaye.
Ojajuni reiterated that Ogun State would remain hostile to criminals, warning that criminal hideouts, drug joints, brothels used as covers for criminal activities, cult enclaves and other black spots would continue to be identified, raided and dismantled.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support the Police with timely and credible information, assuring them that the Command would sustain intelligence-led policing and strategic community partnerships to protect lives and property across the state.