Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, were abducted by armed gunmen on the night of Monday, April 27, 2026, in what initially seemed like a textbook kidnapping. But the Ogun State Police Command responded with extraordinary speed, launching a coordinated, intelligence-driven rescue operation that freed all five victims from their captors within 24 hours. The operation, which involved multiple tactical units, culminated in a fierce gun duel in which the kidnappers were overpowered and forced to flee with suspected gunshot wounds. No casualties were recorded among the security personnel.
The incident began around 10:55 p.m. on Monday, when the Ipara Division received a distress report of a suspected kidnapping in the Sapade area of Remo North Local Government Area. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, a patrol team was immediately deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, officers discovered an ash-coloured Toyota vehicle abandoned by the roadside. The vehicle bore visible bullet impacts and blood stains, and inside it, officers recovered mobile phones and other personal belongings. Further examination of the scene revealed an identity card belonging to a student of Gateway Polytechnic, confirming that the occupants of the vehicle were students who had been abducted.
The discovery triggered an immediate escalation of the incident and the activation of a full-scale rescue operation. Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, took charge of the response, ordering the deployment of tactical units and directing an intelligence-led rescue operation aimed at safely locating the victims. Acting on his directive, operatives from multiple formations were swiftly mobilised. These included the Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), the Quick Response Squad (QRS), and OP MESA. The teams conducted coordinated bush combing and tracking operations along suspected escape routes, combing the dense terrain of the surrounding forest.
The sustained operational pressure placed on the kidnappers proved decisive. By the evening of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the security forces had successfully tracked the abductors to their hideout. A confrontation ensued, during which the kidnappers engaged the operatives in a gun duel. However, they were overwhelmed by superior firepower and tactical response, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds. No casualties were recorded among the security personnel. The five victims were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to the conditions they had sustained while in captivity. The police did not disclose the identities of the students, citing privacy concerns, but confirmed that all five were safe and receiving care.
Commissioner Ojajuni praised 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 assured that bush combing operations remain ongoing to track, apprehend and bring the fleeing suspects to justice. The Commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to the nearest police formation.
The abduction of students from higher institutions has become a recurring nightmare in Nigeria. In recent months, there have been several high-profile cases, including the mass abduction of students from a university in Zamfara State and the kidnapping of pupils from a school in Kaduna. Each incident has exposed the vulnerability of students and the inadequacy of security measures in many parts of the country. The swift rescue of the Gateway Polytechnic students stands in stark contrast to these other cases, where victims have sometimes remained in captivity for weeks or even months. It demonstrates that when security agencies are properly equipped, coordinated, and motivated, they can achieve remarkable results.
The police have not released the names of the rescued students, and it is unclear whether any ransom was demanded or paid. The Ogun State Police Command has not disclosed the number of kidnappers involved or provided any details about their identities. However, the successful rescue operation has been widely praised by residents of Saapade and the broader Ogun State community. Many have taken to social media to applaud the police for their swift and effective response, while others have called for the government to sustain the momentum and ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.
As the bush combing operations continue, the police have vowed to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice. The command has also reiterated its commitment to protecting the lives and property of all citizens, particularly students and other vulnerable groups. For now, the five students of Gateway Polytechnic can breathe a sigh of relief. Their ordeal lasted just one night. Their rescuers moved with precision and speed, and justice, though not yet fully served, has begun to catch up with the criminals.
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