Five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, who were abducted by suspected kidnappers earlier this week, have been rescued.
Also rescued were two non-students, bringing the total number of victims rescued to seven.
The victims were rescued in the early hours of Friday in an intelligence-led operation around Alamala community, off Ayetoro Road Roundabout, in the state capital.
The rescue operation was carried out by security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police and the Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Five suspects were also arrested in connection with the abduction.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State lauded the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, as well as Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for rescuing the victims.
The governor described the rescue as a major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping, even as he reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that kidnappers and other criminal elements have no hiding place in the state
He described the operation, which included members of the State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local vigilantes and hunters, as a demonstration of the success that can be achieved when security agencies work together.
“One of the victims sustained a gunshot injury during the incident and was immediately evacuated for medical attention. The student has since been stabilised.
“This operation is still ongoing, and I wish to assure the good people of Ogun State that our security agencies remain on the trail of every individual connected with this criminal enterprise,” said the governor.
“Our resolve is very clear. Ogun State will remain hostile to criminality and safe for every law-abiding citizen, resident and investor,” the governor declared, stressing that
According to him, recent joint security initiatives, particularly Operation Kò S’Áyé, have demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and sustained operational pressure against criminal elements.
The governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to combating banditry, terrorism and kidnapping across the country, noting that the recent rescue of 308 abducted victims by Nigerian security forces underscores the growing effectiveness of coordinated security operations nationwide.
“At this juncture, I must acknowledge the purposeful leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has placed the restoration of peace and security at the centre of Nigeria’s development agenda through sustained investment in the operational capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
“The strengthening of intelligence coordination, the acquisition of modern security assets and his deliberate reforms have continued to deepen inter-agency collaboration,” he said.
The governor further noted that the Federal Government has continued to strengthen the nation’s security architecture, adding that the recent approval of a substantial salary increase for officers and men of the Armed Forces would further boost personnel welfare and morale.