Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a passionate and urgent call for the immediate rescue of five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, who were abducted by suspected armed bandits on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, and its Secretary-General, Oladimeji Uthman, the student body condemned the attack as "another disturbing sign of worsening insecurity around tertiary institutions" and demanded that security agencies deploy all available resources to secure the victims' release.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. when gunmen invaded a private student hostel located along Paraga Road in Ipara, a remote area outside the polytechnic's main campus. According to the Students' Union Government (SUG), which confirmed the abduction of five students, the hostel is situated in an isolated area surrounded by thick vegetation, making it highly vulnerable to criminal attacks. The assailants operated for about 30 minutes, firing gunshots to scare residents before fleeing with their victims. Several students escaped through the building's POP ceiling, but five were unable to flee and were taken away by the kidnappers.
The abduction comes barely 24 hours after a final-year female student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, was shot dead by armed robbers who invaded her hostel, while several others sustained injuries. NANS described the back-to-back incidents as "unconscionable" and said they had thrown students across Ogun State into fear and mourning. "It is unconscionable that, within the space of a few days, two tertiary institutions in the same state have been exposed to a high level of insecurity and violent criminality, leaving the student community in a state of fear and mourning," the association said in its statement.
NANS called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure the unconditional release of the abducted students. The association also urged the management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, in collaboration with the Ogun State Government and host community leaders, to strengthen security around the institution and conduct a proper assessment of off-campus hostels to ensure that students reside only in safe environments.
The student body further argued that repeated assurances after attacks were no longer sufficient, insisting that the government must provide sustained security measures for students both on and off campus. It also called on governments to invest in affordable on-campus accommodation to reduce students' exposure to security risks associated with living in remote private hostels. "The government must recognise the importance of investing heavily in the construction of affordable, campus-based hostels for students, which would significantly reduce students' exposure to the security risks associated with off-campus accommodation," NANS stated.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the abduction and said it had activated a coordinated operational response, deploying tactical teams and intelligence assets to the area. "Bush-combing and other targeted operations are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible," the command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said in a statement. However, the police noted that the exact number of victims was yet to be ascertained, as verification and investigation were still in progress.
NANS appealed to students to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, avoid spreading unverified information, and observe personal security measures while rescue operations continue. The association also commended the SUG of Gateway ICT Polytechnic for providing timely clarification and urging students to rely on verified information. "While we are relieved that no student lost their life during the attack, the abduction of five students remains a grave concern that requires urgent and coordinated action from all relevant security agencies. The security and welfare of Nigerian students remain non-negotiable. It is unacceptable that students who leave their homes in pursuit of education continue to face threats to their lives," NANS declared.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Nigerian students nationwide and pledged to continue engaging relevant authorities until the abducted students are rescued safely and reunited with their loved ones. As the search for the five missing students continues, the incident has once again highlighted the growing insecurity around tertiary institutions in Nigeria and the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect students from kidnapping and other violent crimes.
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