Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have successfully rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, who were abducted by kidnappers in Sapade Area of the state.
The state Police PRO, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, made the disclosure in a press release on Wednesday.
As stated in the release, the abduction occurred at about 2255hours on Monday, 27 April 2026, when Ipara division received a distress report of a suspected kidnapping.
“Acting promptly, a patrol team was deployed to the scene where an ash-coloured Toyota vehicle was discovered abandoned.
“The vehicle was observed with visible bullet impacts and blood stains, while mobile phones and other personal belongings were recovered from within.
“Further examination of the scene revealed an identity card belonging to a student of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, confirming that the occupants of the vehicle were students.
“This development necessitated the immediate escalation of the incident and activation of a full-scale rescue operation.
“In line with standard operational procedures, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, promptly ordered the deployment of tactical units and directed an intelligence-led rescue operation to safely locate and rescue the victims.
“Acting on this directive, operatives of Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Quick Response Squad (QRS), and OP MESA were swiftly mobilised and conducted coordinated bush combing and tracking operations along suspected escape routes.
“The sustained operational pressure led to the successful rescue of the five victims from the custody of the abductors on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.
“The victims were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to conditions sustained while in captivity,” it was stated in the release.
It was further revealed that the kidnappers of the Polytechnic students engaged police operatives in a gun duel.
“But they were overwhelmed by superior firepower and tactical response, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds. No casualty was recorded among security operatives,” it added.
Meanwhile, CP Ojajuni has commended the gallantry, professionalism, and swift coordination of all tactical units involved, noting that the intelligence-driven response was decisive to the success of the operation.
This was as he further assured that bush combing operations remained ongoing to track, apprehend and bring the fleeing suspected kidnappers to justice.
The Ogun State Police Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to the nearest police formation in the state.
