Police Rescue Five Abducted Gateway Polytechnic Students in Ogun

Ogun State — Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have successfully rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, who were abducted by armed criminals in the Saapade area of the state.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, April 27, 2026, at about 10:55 p.m., was first reported to the Ipara Division following a distress call indicating a suspected kidnapping.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, officers responded swiftly to the alert. Upon arrival at the scene, they discovered an ash-coloured Toyota vehicle abandoned, riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood. Mobile phones and other personal belongings were also recovered from the vehicle.

Further investigation at the scene led to the discovery of a student identity card, confirming that the victims were students of Gateway Polytechnic.

Following this discovery, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, ordered an immediate escalation of the operation, deploying tactical units and initiating an intelligence-led rescue mission aimed at securing the safe release of the victims.

Security teams drawn from the Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit, the Quick Response Squad, and OP MESA were mobilised for the operation. The teams conducted coordinated bush combing and tracking operations along suspected escape routes.

Police authorities confirmed that sustained operational pressure led to the successful rescue of all five victims on April 28, 2026. The students were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to the conditions they endured while in captivity.

During the rescue mission, operatives reportedly engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle. The suspects were eventually overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the police and fled the scene, some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

The police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.