The Ogun State So-Safe Corps has been commended for foiling a suspected car theft in Idi Aba, Abeokuta, with a human rights activist, Comrade Tiamiyu Taiwo, urging the state government to provide the security outfit with adequate funding and essential operational equipment.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on Saturday along Tekobo Street, Idi Aba, when operatives of the corps intervened in an attempt to steal Taiwo’s vehicle.
Taiwo praised the operatives for their swift response, which prevented the suspected theft, noting that the intervention demonstrated the importance of community-based security outfits in protecting lives and property.
He called on the Ogun State Government to strengthen the corps’ operational capacity through improved funding, provision of functional patrol vehicles, communication gadgets, protective equipment and other essential tools needed to combat crime effectively.
According to him, equipping the corps adequately would enhance its ability to respond promptly to security threats and complement the efforts of the police and other conventional security agencies across the state.
The So-Safe Corps, under the leadership of its Commandant, Cdr. (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo, has continued to participate in grassroots security operations aimed at preventing crime and maintaining public safety in communities across Ogun State.
The Idi Aba incident has renewed attention to the role of local security structures in crime prevention, particularly in responding to incidents that require immediate intervention and knowledge of the surrounding community.
Taiwo maintained that security agencies operating at the grassroots level needed adequate resources, regular training and effective coordination to perform their duties efficiently.
He urged the state government to invest in personnel welfare and capacity building, including training in intelligence gathering, crime prevention, emergency response and respect for citizens’ fundamental human rights.
The activist also called for stronger collaboration between the So-Safe Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, community leaders and residents’ associations to improve intelligence sharing and ensure timely reporting of suspicious activities.
He said effective cooperation among security agencies and local communities would help close security gaps, protect residential and commercial properties, and strengthen public confidence in the state’s security architecture.
While commending Ganzallo and the operatives involved in the Idi Aba intervention, Taiwo urged the government to sustain its support for the corps through adequate funding, operational equipment, professional training and effective oversight.
He noted that the incident along Tekobo Street demonstrated the potential of community-based security outfits to contribute meaningfully to crime prevention when properly equipped and supported.
Taiwo added that strengthening the So-Safe Corps would improve its capacity to protect lives and property and contribute to lasting peace and security across Ogun State.
