By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, have been rescued by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command following a late-night abduction that triggered a high-intensity, intelligence-led operation across parts of the state.
Spokesperson of Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Ogun State Command, Mr. Oluseyi Babaseyi, who disclosed this on Wednesday morning through a statement said the students were abducted on April 27, 2026, at about 10:55 p.m. in the Sapade area, after armed assailants intercepted their movement.
Babaseyi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) stated that the Police at Ipara Division responded swiftly to a distress call and discovered an abandoned ash-coloured Toyota vehicle riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood, raising immediate alarm.
He noted that iems recovered from the vehicle, included mobile phones and an identity card belonging to one of the victims, confirmed that the occupants were students of Gateway Polytechnic.
The discovery, according to him, prompted an escalation of the case and the rapid deployment of tactical units.
Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, a coordinated rescue mission was launched, involving multiple specialized teams including SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit, Quick Response Squad, and OP MESA operatives.
He explained that security operatives carried out extensive bush combing and tracking operations along suspected escape routes, maintaining sustained pressure on the kidnappers, stressing that the operation within 24 hours of commencement, paid off.
According to him, the five abducted students were successfully rescued from captivity yesterday.
He said the victims were immediately taken for medical evaluation after enduring harsh conditions while held by their captors.
During the rescue effort, police operatives engaged the fleeing kidnappers in a gun battle. The suspects, overwhelmed by superior firepower, escaped into nearby terrain with suspected gunshot injuries. No casualties were recorded among the security personnel.
Babaseyi quoted Commissioner Ojajuni as praising the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved, emphasizing that the success of the mission was driven by actionable intelligence and seamless coordination among units.
He assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, as security forces continue combing surrounding areas.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through designated emergency lines, reinforcing the importance of community cooperation in combating crime.
