Just In: Police rescue five Poly students from kidnappers in Ogun

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Ogun State Police Command said its operatives have successfully rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, who were recently abducted by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

The Command in a statement by its spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said the five students were abducted on 27th April 2026 at about 11:55.

He said the report of the abduction of the students was made at the Ipara division.

Babaseyi said police operatives who visited the scene of the abduction discovered an abandoned ash-coloured Toyota vehicle with visible bullet impacts and blood stains, while mobile phones and other personal belongings were recovered from the vehicle

He said further examination of the scene revealed an identity card belonging to a student of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, confirming that the occupants of the vehicle were students.

“This development necessitated the immediate escalation of the incident and activation of a full-scale rescue operation,” he said.

According to the statement, Ogun Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni promptly ordered the deployment of tactical units and directed an intelligence-led rescue operation to safely locate and rescue the victims.

“Acting on this directive, 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 mobilised and conducted coordinated bush combing and tracking operations along suspected escape routes.

“The sustained operational pressure led to the successful rescue of the five victims from the custody of the abductors on 28th April 2026.

“The victims were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to conditions sustained while in captivity,” Babaseyi said.

According to him, during the rescue operation, the kidnappers engaged operatives in a gun duel but were overwhelmed by superior firepower and tactical response, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.

He added that no casualty was recorded among security operatives.

“The Commissioner of Police commends the gallantry, professionalism, and swift coordination of all tactical units involved, noting that the intelligence-driven response was decisive to the success of the operation.

“He further assures that bush combing operations remain ongoing to track, apprehend and bring the fleeing suspects to justice.

“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to the nearest police formation or through the Command’s emergency lines: Gateway Shield (Toll-Free): 0800 000 9111; 0906 283 7609; 0912 014 1706; 0915 102 7369; and 0708 497 2994,” Babaseyi said in the statement.