Operatives of a private security firm in Ondo State, Gallery Security Services Limited (GSSL), have dismantled a criminal hideout in Ode Irele, the headquarters of Irele Local Government Area, successfully rescuing a captive trader and apprehending two suspected kidnappers.
The private security outfit safely rescued 37-year-old Mrs Morenike Falona, who had been held captive in a remote location for three days.
Following the successful operation, the firm handed the suspects over to the state police command on Sunday at Ajagba for formal profiling, deep investigation, and subsequent prosecution.
The midnight ambush and forest rescue
According to Navy Lieutenant Zakari Abdullahi (retd.), the Security Manager of GSSL, the victim was violently abducted around 10:00 p.m. on June 16, 2026, along Orelopo Street, close to Ebute Road in Ode Irele.
Upon receiving credible intelligence regarding the operation of the criminal syndicate, the security firm deployed a specialised 20-man tactical rescue team into the fringes of the local government area.
Following an intensive three-day tracking operation, the team located the secret camp at about 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026.
“The location is at a palm plantation in the Iju-Osun community within Irele Local Government Area. The victim was rescued entirely unharmed. During the raid, the rescue team successfully apprehended two suspected kidnappers,” Lieutenant Abdullahi explained.
The private security manager identified the arrested suspects as 36-year-old Obibodefiyie Ajuesie, a resident of the Ajapa community, and 37-year-old Monday Lucky, who is widely known by the alias Gazilo, from the Akpata community. Both suspects hail from the neighbouring Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.
Police commend private partnership
Reacting to the development, the Chief Executive Officer of Gallery Security Services, Chief Bibopere Ajube, lauded members of the public for providing the timely, actionable intelligence that directly enabled the rescue mission. He warned criminal elements that the Ondo South Senatorial District would no longer serve as a safe haven for illicit activities.
When contacted via telephone, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Ondo State Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that the state command has officially taken custody of both Ajuesie and Lucky from the private security firm. The suspects have been moved to the Okitipupa Area Police Command.
“The command highly commends the swift efforts of the GSSL operatives, which culminated in the safe rescue of the victim and the subsequent handover of the suspects to the police for further investigation and necessary legal action. Such efforts underscore the immense value of strategic partnerships and information-sharing among security stakeholders in the fight against crime and criminality,” DSP Jimoh stated.
The police spokesperson added that detectives are currently interrogating the suspects to identify other fleeing members of the criminal network, emphasising that the duo will be arraigned in court immediately after the investigation concludes.
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