Dare Babalola
The Ogun State Police Command has rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, who were abducted by suspected gunmen within the school community.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the victims were freed after the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, ordered an immediate deployment of officers for coordinated search and tracking operations across suspected escape routes.
According to the police, the incident was reported on April 27, 2026, at about 10:55 p.m., when officers at Ipara Division received a distress call over a suspected kidnapping.
A patrol team dispatched to the scene reportedly found an abandoned ash-coloured Toyota vehicle riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood. Mobile phones and other personal belongings were also recovered from the car.
“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,” the statement said.
Police said the commissioner thereafter directed tactical and intelligence units to commence a rescue mission involving operatives from Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit, Quick Response Squad and OP MESA.
The command stated that sustained pressure from the security teams led to the successful rescue of the five students on April 28.
The victims were said to have been evacuated from the kidnappers’ hideout, debriefed and taken for medical attention after enduring harsh conditions in captivity.
During the operation, the kidnappers reportedly engaged security operatives in a gun battle but were forced to flee after being overpowered. Police said some of the suspects may have escaped with gunshot wounds, while no casualty was recorded among officers.
Ojajuni commended the officers involved for their bravery, professionalism and swift coordination, describing the intelligence-led response as critical to the operation’s success.
He added that security teams were still combing nearby bushes to arrest the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines.
