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The Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapade, who were abducted by armed criminals in the Sapade area of the state.
In a Wednesday statement, command spokesman, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said the incident occurred at about 10:55 pm on Monday, April 27, 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,” the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said.
Babaseyi added that 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.
He said this development necessitated the immediate escalation of the incident and activation of a full-scale rescue operation.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, In line with standard operational procedures, promptly ordered the deployment of tactical units and directed an intelligence-led rescue operation to safely locate and rescue the victims.
The statement reads, “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 (5) victims from the custody of the abductors on 28th April 2026.
“The victims were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to conditions sustained while in captivity.”
Babaseyi stated that during the rescue operation, the kidnappers engaged operatives in a gun duel but were overwhelmed by superior firepower and tactical response, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.
He affirmed that no casualty was recorded among security operatives.
The Commissioner of Police 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.
He further assured that bush combing operations remain ongoing to track, apprehend and bring the fleeing suspects to justice.
The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to the nearest police formation or through the command’s emergency lines.
