Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ogun State Police Command has launched a massive manhunt for gunmen who stormed a private student hostel in the Ipara area on the night of Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and abducted an unspecified number of occupants, with the Students' Union Government (SUG) of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, confirming that at least five students were taken away by the attackers. The incident, which occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. along Paraga Road in Ipara-Remo, has sparked widespread panic among students and residents, prompting the polytechnic management to suspend examinations scheduled for Thursday, July 30.
According to eyewitness accounts and a statement issued by the SUG, the suspected armed bandits invaded the private hostel, which is located in a remote area surrounded by thick bush, making it vulnerable to criminal attacks. The assailants operated for approximately 30 minutes, firing several gunshots during the invasion. While some occupants managed to escape by breaking through the building's POP ceiling, others were unable to flee before the gunmen abducted at least five students and escaped into the surrounding bush. The SUG stressed that no student was killed during the attack, contrary to rumours circulating on social media.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the Command received a distress report shortly after the attack and immediately activated a coordinated operational response. Tactical police teams and intelligence units were promptly deployed to the area to track the kidnappers and ensure the safe rescue of the victims. Babaseyi stated that extensive bush-combing operations and other targeted security measures are currently underway to locate the abducted students and apprehend those responsible for the attack. The police spokesman noted that the exact number of abducted persons has yet to be officially verified, as investigations are still ongoing to establish the full details of the incident.
The Students' Union Government, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Comrade Akinpelu Bukunmi Timothy; General Secretary, Comrade Salau Boluwaduro Saidat; and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Matthew Francis Sonayon, confirmed that five students were abducted during the attack. The union urged parents, guardians, and members of the public to disregard what it described as false and exaggerated reports circulating on social media. "While the abduction is real and deeply unfortunate, many of the stories currently in circulation do not accurately represent the facts and only serve to create unnecessary fear and panic within the school community," the union stated. The SUG also advised students seeking accommodation to patronise hostels located in secure and populated environments while avoiding isolated areas vulnerable to criminal attacks.
Following the incident, the polytechnic management announced the postponement of Thursday's examinations. A notice issued to students read: "Following the unfortunate incident that occurred yesterday, today's examination has been cancelled. However, tomorrow's examination remains scheduled as planned. If there is any change regarding tomorrow's examination, an official announcement will be communicated promptly". The management urged all students to remain calm, stay positive, and continue preparing for their examinations, expressing hope that the situation would be resolved soon.
The Police Public Relations Officer appealed to residents to remain calm and volunteer credible information that could assist security agencies in rescuing the victims and apprehending the perpetrators. He also urged members of the public to disregard unverified figures and refrain from circulating misinformation capable of undermining ongoing operations. "The dissemination of inaccurate information has the potential to undermine ongoing rescue efforts and investigations," Babaseyi warned.
The abduction of the five students from Gateway ICT Polytechnic comes barely 24 hours after a final-year female student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic in Ogun State was shot dead by armed robbers who invaded her hostel, triggering protests that blocked the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. The recurring attacks on student hostels in the state have raised serious concerns about the safety of students living in off-campus accommodations, particularly those located in isolated and poorly secured areas. The Ogun State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to rescuing the victims safely and bringing the perpetrators to justice, while appealing to the public to support security efforts by promptly reporting suspicious persons or activities through official police communication channels. As the search for the abducted students continues, the police have assured residents that tactical operations are ongoing to secure their release and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
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