Five students from Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, who were allegedly kidnapped by armed criminals in the area, have been successfully freed by Ogun State Police Command personnel.
This was revealed in a statement on Wednesday by DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the state police command spokesperson.
According to Babaseyi, “the incident happened on April 27, 2026, at approximately 2255 hours, when Ipara division received a distress report of a suspected kidnapping.”
When an ash-colored Toyota car was found abandoned, a patrol team was sent to the location right away. Mobile phones and other personal items were found inside the car, which had obvious bullet damage and blood stains.
He said that additional investigation at the location turned up an identity card belonging to a Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade student, proving that the people inside the car were students.
Report stated that this development made it necessary to escalate the situation right away and launch a full-scale rescue effort.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, immediately ordered the deployment of tactical units and oversaw an intelligence-led rescue operation to securely find and rescue the victims in accordance with routine operating procedures.
“Operatives of Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Quick Response Squad (QRS), and OP MESA were swiftly mobilized and conducted coordinated bush combing and tracking operations along suspected escape routes in response to this directive,” stated Babaseyi.
On April 28, 2026, the five (5) victims were successfully freed from the abductors’ custody thanks to persistent operational pressure. Due to conditions they had suffered while in captivity, the victims were promptly evacuated, debriefed, and sent for medical care.
The kidnappers allegedly engaged the police officers in a gunfight during the rescue operation, but they were overpowered by superior firepower and tactical response, forcing them to escape with possible gunshot wounds. There were no security personnel casualties reported.
The CP, Ojajuni, has praised the bravery, expertise, and quick coordination of all tactical units engaged, pointing out that the operation’s success was largely dependent on the intelligence-driven response.
He also promises that bush combing efforts would continue in order to locate, capture, and prosecute the escaping suspects.
