Soft Drink Distributor Escapes Planned Abduction as Intelligence-Led Operation Cracks Criminal Network.
OTA, OGUN STATE — The Ogun State Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) has successfully thwarted a planned kidnap and armed robbery operation targeting a prominent soft drink distributor in Iju-Ota, leading to the arrest of three suspects allegedly involved in the criminal conspiracy.
The State Commander of the Corps, Dr. Soji Ganzallo, disclosed the development in a statement issued through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Adegunwa Adegbuyi.
According to the statement, the breakthrough followed actionable intelligence received on June 10, 2026, at about 2:45 p.m. from an ad-hoc operative of the Corps, who alerted authorities to a criminal gang's plan to kidnap and rob Mr. Joseph Amad, a businessman and soft drink distributor based in Iju-Ota.
Upon receiving the intelligence, the Ota Area Commander, Assistant Commander of Corps (ACC) Dada Wasiu Ayinla, immediately directed operatives to commence covert surveillance of the suspects. The undercover operation enabled security personnel to closely monitor the gang's activities and gather crucial evidence without attracting attention.
Investigations reportedly revealed that the alleged mastermind of the plot was one Ayodeji Fatomi, 31, a shawarma vendor operating in Koro Otun, Ota. Fatomi was said to have recruited two accomplices — Owolabi Moses, 26, who served as the victim's driver, and Rasheed Oyekunle, 31, a hip-hop artiste — to facilitate the operation.
Security findings showed that Moses, who regularly transported and distributed goods for Mr. Amad using the victim's Ford bus, supplied detailed information about his employer's movements, business operations, and daily routines to the gang.
Authorities further uncovered that the suspects had initially planned to execute the operation on the night of June 17, 2026. However, their plans suffered a setback when an individual identified as Mr. Baruwa allegedly declined to provide the weapons requested for the operation.
Dr. Ganzallo stated that investigators recovered and analyzed incriminating WhatsApp messages and voice notes exchanged among the suspects. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed that they intended to abduct the businessman, demand ransom from his family, dispose of his goods for financial gain, and sell his vehicle to scrap metal dealers.
The suspects allegedly admitted that their primary objective was financial gain. Fatomi was quoted as saying that the gang never intended to kill the victim.
Acting on directives from the State Commander, the Corps' Special Squad, led by ACC Ayinla, moved in after the suspects scheduled what investigators described as a final planning meeting. Two of the suspects were arrested during the operation, while the third suspect, Owolabi Moses, was apprehended later the same night in Iju-Ota following intensive surveillance and interrogation of the earlier suspects.
The Corps noted that the operation was executed professionally and without violence. Although some youths in the community initially attempted to obstruct the arrest of one of the suspects due to his popularity in the area, they eventually cooperated after officers explained the circumstances surrounding the operation.
The intended victim, Mr. Joseph Amad, was rescued unharmed. According to the statement, the businessman later visited the Corps' command headquarters to express gratitude to God and the security operatives for preventing what could have been a devastating attack.
All three suspects have since been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force, Ota Central Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Commending the officers involved, Dr. Ganzallo praised ACC Dada Wasiu Ayinla and his team for their professionalism, bravery, and commitment to public safety.
He reiterated the Corps' resolve to strengthen intelligence-driven security operations across Ogun State and urged residents to continue supporting law enforcement agencies with credible information.
"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.
The successful operation has once again highlighted the importance of community intelligence and inter-agency cooperation in combating crime and ensuring public safety across the state.
