Five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, abducted by gunmen last week, have regained their freedom alongside two other residents of the host community following a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies in Ogun State.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who announced the successful rescue while addressing journalists at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Thursday, said all seven victims were rescued alive through separate operations carried out by a joint security team.
The operation involved personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Ogun State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, as well as local vigilantes and hunters.
Abiodun disclosed that one of the rescued students sustained a gunshot injury during the abduction but had been evacuated for medical treatment and stabilised.
According to the governor, the state government activated a coordinated security response immediately after the students were kidnapped on July 29, while additional aerial surveillance was deployed following his request to the Inspector-General of Police.
“I am pleased to inform the good people of Ogun State that in the early hours of today, Thursday, August 6, 2026, the combined security operation successfully rescued all seven victims alive,” he said.
He explained that five victims were rescued during the first phase of the operation and reunited with their families after receiving medical attention, while the remaining two were freed during a subsequent operation involving a police helicopter and ground forces.
The governor further disclosed that two suspected kidnappers had been arrested, while security operatives had intensified efforts to apprehend other members of the criminal gang.
“I am also pleased to note that, as of this moment, two of the kidnappers have been arrested, while our security agencies remain on the trail of the remaining members of the criminal gang,” he added.
Abiodun noted that the deployment of a police helicopter significantly enhanced the rescue mission.
“Recognising the need to strengthen the operation with additional air support, I reached out to the Inspector-General of Police on Monday, August 3, 2026, to deploy aerial surveillance to complement the ongoing ground operations. I am pleased to report that the Inspector-General responded without delay by approving and deploying a police helicopter that same day,” he stated.
The governor, however, declined to disclose the exact location where the victims were rescued, saying the operation was still ongoing and that revealing such details could jeopardise efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.
He assured residents that kidnappers and their collaborators would have no hiding place in Ogun State, reiterating his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
Abiodun commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening the nation’s security architecture and praised the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the NSCDC, Amotekun Corps and other security agencies for their synergy throughout the operation.
He also appreciated the management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, parents of the victims, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents for their cooperation and support during the rescue mission.
Speaking at the briefing, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, dismissed reports that ransom was paid for the release of the victims, insisting that the operation was purely security-driven.
“It was a successful operation. No ransom was paid. We rescued five victims in the early hours of today and reunited them with their respective families. Before handing them over, we took them to the Police Medical Services for medical examination and treatment,” Ojajuni said.
The police commissioner explained that the remaining two victims were rescued after a coordinated assault involving a police helicopter and ground forces.
“In the early hours of today, a helicopter, working in coordination with ground forces, stormed the kidnappers’ hideout and rescued the remaining two victims. We have also successfully arrested two of the kidnappers. They are currently in our custody and are cooperating with the investigation,” he added.
Ojajuni said security agencies would not disclose the location of the rescue operation because security personnel were still conducting clearance operations in the area, expressing confidence that the remaining members of the gang would soon be apprehended.
