Five students of Gateway Polytechnic have been rescued after they were abducted by suspected kidnappers in Ogun State, following a coordinated security operation by the police and other tactical units.
The students were reportedly kidnapped while returning to their hostel after stepping out to purchase food. The incident occurred late Monday night, sparking panic within the institution and surrounding community.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the victims had been safely recovered and taken for medical attention due to conditions they sustained during captivity.
According to Babaseyi, the Ipara Division of the command received a distress call at about 10:55 pm on Monday. A patrol team was immediately dispatched to the scene, where officers discovered an abandoned ash-coloured Toyota vehicle.
He disclosed that the vehicle bore visible bullet holes and blood stains. Several items were recovered from inside, including mobile phones and an identity card belonging to one of the students.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical units and directed an intelligence-led rescue mission.
Security operatives drawn from the Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Quick Response Squad (QRS), and OP MESA were mobilised for coordinated bush-combing and tracking operations along suspected escape routes.
“The sustained operating pressure led to the successful rescue of the five victims from the custody of the abductors on 28th April 2026,” Babaseyi said.
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He added that during the rescue effort, the kidnappers engaged security operatives in a gun battle but were eventually overpowered, forcing them to flee into the bush with suspected gunshot wounds.
The rescued students were subsequently evacuated, debriefed, and taken to a medical facility for treatment.
Commissioner Ojajuni commended the swift coordination and professionalism displayed by the various tactical teams, noting that the intelligence-driven approach was crucial to the success of the operation.
He assured residents that bush-combing operations remain ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice. The police chief also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements to the nearest security formation.
The incident adds to growing concerns over security around tertiary institutions, as authorities intensify efforts to combat kidnapping and violent crimes in the state.