Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, who were abducted by suspected criminals in the area.
The police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the development, stating that the incident occurred late on April 27, 2026, when officers at the Ipara Division received a distress call about a possible kidnapping.
A patrol team was immediately dispatched to the scene, where an abandoned ash-coloured Toyota vehicle was found. The car showed signs of violence, including bullet holes and blood stains, while mobile phones and other personal belongings were recovered.
Further checks revealed an identity card belonging to a Gateway Polytechnic student, confirming that the victims were students. This discovery prompted the police to escalate the situation and launch a full-scale rescue mission.
Following orders from the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, multiple tactical units—including SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit, and other security teams—were deployed. The teams carried out coordinated search operations across suspected routes used by the abductors.
The sustained pressure from security operatives led to the successful rescue of all five victims on April 28. The students were taken to safety, debriefed, and given medical attention for injuries sustained during captivity.
During the operation, the kidnappers reportedly engaged the police in a gunfight but were overpowered and forced to flee, likely with gunshot wounds. No casualties were recorded among the security personnel.
The police commissioner commended the officers involved for their swift and professional response, noting that the intelligence-led approach played a key role in the success of the mission.
Authorities have stated that ongoing operations are in place to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
