SO-SAFE CORPS FOILS PLANNED KIDNAP OF SOFT DRINK DISTRIBUTOR IN IJU-OTA, SUSPECTS ARRESTED
The Ogun State Social Orientation and Safety Corps, codenamed So-Safe Corps, has successfully foiled a planned kidnap and armed robbery targeting a businessman in Iju-Ota, Ogun State.
This is contained in a statement issued by the State Commander, (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo and made available by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Adegunwa Adegbuyi.
The State Commander disclosed that credible intelligence was received on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at about 2:45pm. The intelligence was provided by an ad-hoc personnel of the corps. He reported that a criminal gang was plotting to kidnap and rob one Mr. Joseph Amad, a soft drink distributor based at Iju-Ota.
Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the Ota Area Commander, ACC Dada Wasiu Ayinla, instructed ad-hoc operative to cooperate with and monitor the suspects under close surveillance. This undercover operation enabled operatives to monitor the gang’s plans without raising suspicion.
According to (Dr.) Ganzallo, investigations revealed that the plot was masterminded by a suspect named, Ayodeji Fatomi, 31, “m”a shawarma vendor at Koro Otun, Ota. Subsequently, he recruited Owolabi Moses, 26, “m” who was the targeted victim’s driver, and Rasheed Oyekunle, 31, “m” a hip-hop artiste, in a bid to perfectly execute the crime.
Owolabi, who distributed goods for Mr. Amad using the victim’s Ford bus, provided detailed information on the victim’s itineraries and routines.
Initially, the gang planned to strike on the night of June 17, 2026, but their plan collapsed when Mr. Baruwa refused to provide the weapons they demanded.
In the course of investigation, some evidences such as WhatsApp messages and voice notes exchanged among the culprits were recovered and analyzed. Furthermore, while debriefing the undercover operative and interrogating the suspects, they admited that the gang had planned to kidnap the businessman, seek for ransom, steal with the intention of selling his goods and sell his vehicle to scrap metal scavengers. Ayodeji added that, their intention was to make money and not to kill anyone.
Following a directive from the State Commander, the Special Squad led by ACC Dada Wasiu Ayinla moved in after the suspects arranged a final meeting to perfect the operation and two of them were arrested while Owolabi Moses was arrested at Iju in the night after thorough interrogation of the suspects arrested prior and surveillance.
Ganzallo noted that, the operation was carried out professionally and without incident. Though, a group of boys initially resisted the officers from carrying out their lawful duties due to the suspect’s popularity in the area, but they succumb peacefully after officers explained the reason for the arrest.
Mr. Joseph Amad, though visibly shaken, was rescued unharmed. Subsequently, he came to the Command where he expressed deep gratitude to God and the So-Safe Corps for averting the attack.
All arrested suspects has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Ota Central Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.
(Dr.) Ganzallo commended ACC Dada Wasiu Ayinla and his team for their professionalism, courage, and patriotism. He reiterated the Corps’ commitment to intelligence-led policing and urged members of the public to continue providing timely information to security agencies.
“The safety of lives and property remains our priority. We will not relent until Ogun State and its environs are free from criminal elements,” the State Commander stated.
FOR: THE STATE COMMANDER
