Abducted Ogun students regain freedom after eight days

Seven kidnap victims, including students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade (GAPOSA), Ogun State, who were abducted by suspected kidnappers last week, have regained their freedom after eight days.

The victims were abducted on Wednesday last week when the attackers invaded a private student hostel along Paraga Road, Ipara-Remo, one of the communities adjoining the polytechnic.

Our correspondent further gathered that the attack lasted for approximately 30 minutes, during which the assailants fired gunshots and abducted several students.

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Some students who spoke with our correspondent claimed that at least eight students were abducted.

However, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) confirmed that five students were affected.

“We can confirm that five students were abducted during the incident. The matter has been officially reported to the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies, and we are confident that immediate efforts are underway to ensure the safe rescue of the affected students,” the students’ body said.

Addressing journalists at the State Secretariat in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, said the victims were rescued in the early hours of Thursday.

He said the victims, including the students, were rescued in two batches during a joint security operation supported by a police helicopter.

Ojajuni said no ransom was paid and that all the victims were rescued alive.

He added that the rescued victims were taken to the hospital for medical attention before being reunited with their families.

“It was a real operational exercise. No ransom was paid. We rescued five victims in the early hours of today and handed them over to their respective families. Before then, we took them for medical treatment.

“Also in the early hours of today, the helicopter, together with ground forces, stormed the kidnappers’ den and rescued the remaining two victims. We have successfully arrested two of the kidnappers. They are in our custody and are cooperating with investigators. We are still on the trail of the others while the operation continues,” Ojajuni said.

Also speaking, Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed that one of the victims was shot during the rescue operation but was promptly revived at the medical facility.

He said: “Recognising the need to strengthen the operation with additional air support, I reached out to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Monday, 3 August 2026, to deploy aerial surveillance to complement the ongoing ground operations.

“I am glad to report that the IGP responded without delay by approving and deploying a police helicopter the same day. I am standing here this evening pleased to inform the good people of Ogun State that, in the early hours of today, Thursday, 6 August 2026, the combined security operation successfully rescued all seven victims alive.

“One of the victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation. He was immediately evacuated for medical attention and has since been stabilised.”

The governor warned that Ogun State would not become a safe haven for kidnappers and other criminal elements.

He stressed that security remains a shared responsibility and urged residents to continue providing credible information to the appropriate authorities.