— Employed more than 1000 youths

By Dayo Johnson Akure

No fewer than 1,000 youths from Ondo State, have been taken away from the labour market by a private security outfit, Gallery Security Service, to police the waterways and coastal areas and guard against criminals and their nefarious activities.

It’s General Manager, Mr Anthony Onyeisue, said this during a Press conference to herald the security outfits 13th anniversary in Agadagba Obon in Ese Odo council area of the state.

‎Onyeisue said that the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives continue to touch hundreds of households, with free medical services, surgical interventions, health screenings, cash support and non-interest loans offered to vulnerable families.

He explained that the security outfit which collaborates with the conventional security agencies like police and the military is resolved to combat sea piracy, oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

He vowed to intensify its operations against waterway crime across Nigeria’s coastal corridors.

According to him, apart from employing the youths for security purposes, it has also contributed in generating employment for the youths.

The security firm, he added focus was on collaboration, community policing, and providing meaningful employment to discourage crime.

‎He said the outfit, founded in 2011 by Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, has grown into a critical partner in securing coastal communities in Ondo, Lagos, Edo and Ekiti States.

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‎Onyeisue noted that Gallery Security Services has earned a reputation for professionalism through its well-trained and motivated personnel who provide security for communities, public infrastructure and private facilities across the Niger Delta and beyond.

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‎According to him, the outfit’s impact extends beyond security enforcement, as it has created over 1,000 direct jobs for young people from various ethnic groups and communities, thereby reducing youth vulnerability to crime in coastal areas.

“Youth unemployment remains a major challenge everywhere in the country and to address this, we have employed over 1,000 personnel, providing jobs and keeping young people away from criminal activities.”

Speaking on the company’s mode of operation in the state,

‎Speaking on the geographical scope of operations, the General Manager said that while it primarily manages waterways in Ondo State, it also operates in Lagos, Akure, Benin, and other regions demonstrating its wider commitment to national security.

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‎He reiterated that “the security outfit functions within the framework of Nigerian laws and regulatory bodies such as the Civil Defence Corps, allowing accredited companies to operate across the country.

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‎”This legal compliance enables flexibility in extending security services beyond waterways.

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‎Onyeisue reaffirmed Gallery Security’s commitment to safeguarding coastal communities, applauding the sacrifices of its operatives and the support of the Ondo State Government, security agencies and host communities.

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‎He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration would further curb waterway crime and promote peace across the region.

Onyeisue said it had arrested a number of criminals whom had been handed over to the state police command for onward prosecution, as it had no power to prosecute nor carry arms, nor other equipment.

According to him ” While we are restricted from using military‑grade equipment such as drones, our partnership (with military ) allows us to draw on their capabilities and to employ everyday devices like mobile phones and walkie‑talkies effectively.

“Our creatives and personnel come directly from the communities we serve. This makes us members of those communities, and it is why you will find at least one or two of our staff in virtually every family or neighbourhood within our area of operation.

“The company’s model mirrors the national police’s community‑policing strategy, which Gallery has practiced for years.

The General Manager said that “The Gallery Security Service is a private guard company operating within the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as directed by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps

” We do not have prosecuting powers, any criminal we’ve been able to identify, alongside with the government security agencies, we hand them over to the police for prosecution.

He added that ” we do not have statistics of the numbers of suspects we have arrested but I can tell you that a good number of them are still in prison centres, it’s currently within Olokuta prison.

Onyeisue noted that the organisation was not limited to Ondo State only but had branches in some other states of the federation.

“We have an agreement with the Ondo State Government to manage its waterways, which are a gateway to the Niger Delta and Lagos.

“While our headquarters are in Ondo, we operate in Lagos, Akure, Benin, and other locations across Nigeria.

“Once accredited by the NSCDC, we can operate anywhere in the country, and we are working toward building a global brand.”

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‎He reiterated that the security outfit functions within the framework of Nigerian laws and regulatory bodies such as the Civil Defence Corps, allowing accredited companies to operate across the country.

‎

‎This legal compliance enables flexibility in extending security services beyond waterways.

‎

‎Onyeisue reaffirmed Gallery Security’s commitment to safeguarding coastal communities, applauding the sacrifices of its operatives and the support of the Ondo State Government, security agencies and host communities.

‎

‎He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration would further curb waterway crime and promote peace across the region.