Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have successfully rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic who were abducted by armed criminals in the Saapade area of the state.
The rescue was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on April 27, 2026, at about 10:55 p.m., when the Ipara Division received a distress call reporting a suspected kidnapping.
“Acting promptly, a patrol team was deployed to the scene where an ash-coloured Toyota vehicle was discovered abandoned. The vehicle had visible bullet impacts and blood stains, while mobile phones and other personal belongings were recovered,” Babaseyi said.
Further examination reportedly led to the discovery of a student identity card belonging to one of the victims, confirming that the occupants of the vehicle were students of Gateway Polytechnic. This prompted an immediate escalation and the launch of a full-scale rescue operation.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, subsequently ordered the deployment of tactical units and directed an intelligence-led operation to secure the victims’ release.
Security teams drawn from the Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Quick Response Squad (QRS), and OP MESA were mobilised to conduct coordinated bush-combing and tracking operations along suspected escape routes.
The sustained pressure, police said, led to the successful rescue of the five victims on April 28, 2026. The students were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical attention following their ordeal in captivity.
During the operation, the kidnappers reportedly engaged security operatives in a gun battle but were overpowered by superior firepower, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds. No casualties were recorded among the police.
Commending the operation, Ojajuni praised the gallantry and professionalism of the officers involved, noting that the intelligence-driven approach was critical to the success of the mission.
He added that ongoing bush-combing efforts are underway to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.