By James Ogunnaike
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday announced the successful rescue of the seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, in Remo North Local Government Area who were abducted last week, Wednesday, saying no ransom was paid for their release.
The governor disclosed the development while briefing journalists at the Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, commending the coordinated efforts of security agencies, local hunters, vigilantes and other stakeholders whose joint operation led to the rescue of the victims.
Abiodun described the successful operation as a significant milestone in the state’s ongoing fight against violent crime, reiterating that his administration would not allow kidnappers or other criminal elements to find refuge in the state.
The governor said, “Our first responsibility as a government is the protection of lives and property. A society can only thrive where people feel safe to live, work, invest and pursue their aspirations. Security remains the foundation upon which sustainable development is built”.
According to him, following reports of the abduction of the students on July 29, the state government immediately activated a multi-agency security response involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun), vigilantes, local hunters and other security operatives.
The governor revealed that the operation was further strengthened after he requested the deployment of aerial surveillance from the Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, on August 3.
“I reached out to the Inspector-General of Police to deploy aerial surveillance to complement the ongoing ground operations. I am pleased that he responded immediately by approving and deploying a police helicopter the same day,” he said.
Abiodun announced that the combined security operation rescued all seven victims alive in the early hours of Thursday.
“Five victims were rescued during the first phase of the operation and reunited with their families after receiving medical attention, while the remaining two were rescued in a subsequent operation involving the police helicopter and ground forces. One of the victims sustained a gunshot injury, but was immediately evacuated for medical treatment and has since been stabilised,” he stated.
The governor further disclosed that two suspected kidnappers had been arrested, while security operatives had intensified efforts to apprehend other members of the gang.
“As of this moment, two of the kidnappers have been arrested, while our security agencies remain on the trail of the remaining members of the criminal gang. The operation is still ongoing, and for operational reasons, some details cannot yet be disclosed,” he said.
Warning criminals to stay away from the state, Abiodun declared that Ogun would remain hostile to all forms of criminality.
“There will be no hiding place for kidnappers or any other criminals in Ogun State. Whether they are principal offenders, collaborators, informants, logistics providers or sponsors, they will be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising security and strengthening the operational capacity of security agencies across the country, saying the Federal Government’s support had contributed significantly to recent successes against criminal groups.
He also praised the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, the military, NSCDC, Amotekun Corps, vigilantes, local hunters and all security personnel involved in the rescue mission.
Abiodun equally appreciated the management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, the parents of the victims, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents for their cooperation throughout the operation.
Reassuring residents and investors, the governor said his administration would continue to invest in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology and logistics to strengthen the state’s security architecture.
“Kidnappers, bandits, armed robbers, cultists and every violent criminal must understand that Ogun State is not, and will never become, a sanctuary for criminality,” he added.
No Ransom Paid — Commissioner of Police
Speaking during the briefing, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, confirmed that no ransom was paid before the students regained their freedom.
“It was a successful operation. No ransom was paid. We rescued five victims in the early hours of today and reunited them with their respective families. Before handing them over, they were taken to the Police Medical Services for examination and treatment,” Ojajuni said.
He explained that the remaining two victims were rescued during a coordinated operation involving a police helicopter and ground forces.
“A helicopter, working in coordination with ground forces, stormed the kidnappers’ hideout and rescued the remaining two victims. We have also successfully arrested two of the kidnappers. They are currently in our custody and are cooperating with the investigation. We are still pursuing the other suspects, and the operation is ongoing,” the police commissioner added.
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