Ogun So-Safe Operative Dies In Gun Duel With Kidnappers

An operative of the So-Safe Corps in Ogun State, Saheed Ogunrinde has been killed in the line of duty.

He died during a gun duel with kidnappers in Orile-Imo in Ogun State on Wednesday.

His death was confirmed in a statement by the So-Safe Corps Commander, Soji Ganzallo and signed by its spokesperson Moruf Yusuf.

On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, the Corps received information that two people were killed and other two were kidnapped in Awo Village (Abule Awo), Orile-Imo in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.

Ganzallo revealed that the So-Safe Corps Special Team at Owode-Egba Area Command led by the Area Operation Officer, Saheed Ogunrinde and the team of Police, had embarked on a mission to rescue kidnap victims same day, but all effort to track the suspects proved abortive.

"On Wednesday, 31st May, 2023, the So-Safe team and the Police returned to the affected area to carry out a thorough search which extends to Interchange axis.

"And there was a green light that the syndicates will be captured.

"It was so sad that the kidnap suspects, on sighting the joint operations of the So-Safe Corps and the Police, opened fire and the bullet hit the operation leader of the So-Safe Corps, SC Saheed Ogunrinde and he fell and died as a result of loss of blood from the bullet wound.

"His rifle and phone was taken away by the syndicates and effort is ongoing to capture the crime suspects and to recover the property of the Corps from them."

Ganzallo revealed that the remains of slain operative has been taken to his residence at Ajura, Orile-Imo and was buried according to the Muslim rites.

"We hereby sympathize with the family and prayed that Almighty Allah who giveth and taketh life give the family, friends, and the children left behind by the deceased and the So-Safe Corps Family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss."

Ganzallo assured all the law abiding citizens of the state that their security and safety remained the priority of the agency. 

"The ugly incident can never dull the agency morale rather it strengthens it the more. We are not going to rest on our oars until these criminals say good bye to our land," he concluded.