A joint operation between personnel of the Nigeria Police and Gallery Security Services Limited (GSSL) has led to a series of arrests of suspects belonging to a kidnap and robbery gang in Ondo and other South-West states.
The arrest comes just days after Gallery Security operatives apprehended two suspects on June 19 at a palm plantation Iju-Osun community after they reportedly abducted a 37-year-old trader from her residence in Irele Town in Irele local government area of Ondo State on June 16.
The police anti-kidnapping squad in Lagos was said to be investigating the abduction of another businesswoman in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos on April 22, 2026.
The investigators were said to have traced some of the suspects to communities in Ese-Odo Local Government Area in Ondo, prompting a collaborative operation with the Ondo State Police Command and Gallery Security.
Acting on credible intelligence and leveraging its extensive community network and operational presence across the riverine areas of the state, the security firm deployed its personnel and local intelligence assets that assisted in tracing and apprehending two suspects identified as Semoboawei Joshua, 27, from Amapere community, and Gbamire Telemowei, 32, from Akpata community, both in Ese-Odo LGA.
A locally-fabricated shotgun was reportedly recovered from the suspects, who were handed over by the company’s Security Manager, Navy Lt. Zakari Abdullahi (Rtd), to operatives of the Lagos Police Command.
Speaking to journalists on the development, the GSSL Chief Executive Officer, High Chief Bibopere Ajube, said the two successful operations within a week underscored the effectiveness of collaboration between the police, private security operators, host communities, and other stakeholders in combating kidnapping and violent crime across Ondo and the wider South-West region.
Ajube commended the Lagos and Ondo police commands, the Okitipupa Area Command, and all the security personnel involved in the operation.
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He also said the arrests demonstrated the critical importance of intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation, and community participation in tackling insecurity.
“These successes are clear evidence that crime can be effectively confronted when the Nigeria Police Force, private security organisations, host communities, and other stakeholders work together.
“Within one week, we have successfully contributed to the rescue of a kidnapped victim, arrested her abductors, and another two suspects linked to a separate kidnapping case.
“The upsurge in cases of kidnapping and violent crime across Nigeria, and particularly within parts of the South-West, should be a source of concern to all stakeholders. Government at all levels, the private sector, community leaders, religious institutions, and ordinary citizens must work together to strengthen intelligence gathering, community vigilance, and support for security agencies.”
