The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the successful rescue of five abducted students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic following a coordinated intelligence-led operation.
Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, detailing the incident and subsequent rescue efforts.
According to the police chief, the kidnapping occurred on April 27, 2026, at about 10:55 p.m., when officers at Ipara Division received a distress call from the Sapade area.
A patrol team dispatched to the scene discovered an abandoned ash-coloured Toyota vehicle riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood, alongside mobile phones and other personal belongings.
Further investigation led to the recovery of a student identity card belonging to one of the victims, confirming that the abducted individuals were students of the institution.
Ojajuni said the development prompted an immediate escalation and the launch of a full-scale rescue operation involving multiple tactical units, including operatives from Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Quick Response Squad (QRS), and OP MESA.
On April 28, joint teams carried out intensive bush-combing and intelligence-driven tracking along suspected escape routes, particularly around the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Fidiwo axis in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
“The sustained operational pressure led to the successful rescue of the five victims,” Ojajuni said.
He added that the victims were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and given first aid before being taken to the police hospital in Abeokuta for medical attention. They were reported to be in stable condition.
During the operation, the kidnappers reportedly engaged security operatives in a gun duel but were overpowered, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot injuries. No casualties were recorded among the police team.
The Commissioner commended the professionalism and coordination of the operatives involved, noting that intelligence-led policing played a critical role in the success of the mission.
He assured residents that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, while the rescued students have been handed over to the management of the institution.
