Abducted students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, GAPOSA, Ogun State, regained their freedom on Thursday.
The students were rescued by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command after spending eight days in captivity, bringing relief to parents, school authorities, and residents of the state.
Recall that the students were kidnapped last Wednesday at about 8 p.m. from a private student hostel along Paraga Road, Ipara-Remo, one of the communities adjoining the polytechnic.
DAILY POST had reported that the attack lasted for approximately 30 minutes, during which the assailants allegedly fired gunshots and abducted several students.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed that all security agencies were jointly mobilised to dominate the affected corridor and adjoining forests in an intensive search-and-rescue operation.
Abiodun disclosed that one of the victims sustained a gunshot injury during the incident and was immediately evacuated for medical attention. He has since been stabilised.
He added that the operation is ongoing and assured residents that security agencies are still tracking everyone linked to the crime.
He said, “Recognizing the need to strengthen the operation with additional air support, I reached out to the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Monday, 3 August 2026, to deploy aerial surveillance to complement the ongoing ground operations.
“I am glad to report that the IG responded without delay by approving and deploying a police helicopter the same day. I am standing here this evening pleased to inform the good people of Ogun State that, in the early hours of today, Thursday, 6 August 2026, the combined security operation successfully rescued all seven victims alive.
“One of the victims sustained a gunshot injury during the incident, and he was immediately evacuated for medical attention and has since been stabilised.”
The governor warned that the state would not be a hiding place for kidnappers and other criminal elements, stressing that security remains a shared responsibility. He urged all residents to continue providing credible information to the appropriate authorities.
Fielding questions from newsmen, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, noted that no ransom was paid and all the victims were rescued alive.
He noted that the rescued victims were taken to the hospital for medical attention and have been reunited with their families.
Ojajuni said, “It was an operational affair. No ransom was paid. We rescued five in the early hours of today and handed them over to their respective families. We reunited them, but before then, we took them for medical treatment.
“In the early hours too, the helicopter and the ground forces stormed the kidnappers’ den and rescued the remaining two victims. We have successfully arrested two of the kidnappers as we speak. They are with us and are talking, while we are still on the trail of the others as the operation continues.”