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Students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade (GAPOSA), Ogun State, rescued from kidnappers have expressed gratitude to the Ogun State Government and security agencies for saving their lives, describing their freedom as “divinely orchestrated.”
The students were abducted on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, after gunmen invaded their residence. Following the incident, the Ogun State Government mobilised security agencies to intensify the search for the victims. The coordinated rescue operation ended in the early hours of Thursday, August 6, when all seven students were rescued alive.
One of the victims, whose name is withheld, gave a graphic account of the abduction and the horrific ordeal they suffered in the hands of their captors.
According to the victim, the students were at home when they suddenly heard gunshots.
“We were kidnapped by some bandits in our house. We came home, all of us were happy, then we just heard gunshots. One of my friends said, ‘Will you leave?’ Before we knew it, we were already surrounded in our house. We tried to hide ourselves inside the toilet. When we got out of the house, they told us to lie down on the floor and tied our hands behind our backs.
“My friends and I were trapped inside our flat. Two of our neighbours died. My friend’s name is Biggie. All of us, there were still seven of us, were told that we should pay ransom.
“We were sleeping when we heard car sounds. We tried to hold our breath. We heard gunshots; they were still moving. They grabbed my hand at the back and led us out of the house into the bush. When we reached our destination, they sat us down and told us to use our phones.
“Then, they told us to sit down and later to stand up. They would tell us to enter the bush. If there was danger or if we saw someone coming, we had to lie down inside the bush; once it passed, we could stand up again. Their formation was seven people: three at the front, one in the middle and three at the back.
“We got to the Sagamu/Ijebu-Ode Expressway. They told us to walk at the side of the road without talking. This was all done at night. They operate mostly at night, not in the daytime, because motorbike riders and other people are out then and it is more convenient for them to move.
“Anyone who couldn’t walk fast was beaten. Some of us already had twisted toes or legs and couldn’t walk properly. They would hit us with a drum or a spoon, telling us to walk faster.
“We passed through a town I remember as Osongo around 5 a.m. They told us we were being taken somewhere our families would come to meet us. We kept walking until everyone was exhausted.
“The water they gave us was gutter water, dirty. If you refused to drink it, they beat you.
“They took us into a deep forest, deep bush. They told us people had been killed and buried there and that if our families didn’t pay the ransom, we would be killed and buried there too.
“We began crying and begging for our lives. When we cried, they cut a stick and beat us with it. They showed no pity.
“They demanded N30 million. Our families couldn’t provide that. Eventually, they agreed to divide it. I would pay N15 million, my friend ‘BG’ would pay N15 million. They said the money had to be paid before nightfall.
“They moved us again the next morning, deeper into the bush. When we sat down and sunlight reflected on us, they tied cloths over our eyes so we couldn’t see, telling us not to talk or move, just sit.
“Family members began raising money one by one. My mother and brother wanted to sell everything they had. My brother had raised money, but the bank delayed releasing it.
“Other captives’ families raised amounts between N1 million and N11 million each. Money was passed hand-to-hand through intermediaries in Ipara and Sagamu to reach the kidnappers.
“The night the money came through, the kidnappers bought food, drinks and bread. They were celebrating, drinking and saying, ‘See money, see money.’
“That same night, they moved us again, and we slept on the grass until we heard the police helicopter passing overhead.
“As the helicopter passed and the operation closed in, one of them hit me on the neck with a gun. I have asthma and passed out. The other captives woke me.
“As police fire and tear gas advanced from the other side, the kidnappers grabbed the money and told us to follow them. I refused. I told my friend that the police were the ones who could help us, that I’d already seen them nearby and that I wouldn’t survive if I stayed with the kidnappers.
“I moved towards where I’d seen movement in the bush, unsure if it was police or kidnappers. The kidnappers were nearly out of ammunition at that point.
“As I stepped out, I was shot in the leg and fell, thinking I would die. I heard footsteps approaching and made the distress signal they use, like how they signal cattle.
“They came, checked on me and told me I was safe.
“My vision was blurred; the wind kept me conscious. I heard a policeman ask if I was alive and say they should check and report back.
“I shouted that I was a student and needed help. They questioned me to confirm I wasn’t a bandit. Then I asked them to find my friend, whom I only ever called ‘brother’. His name is John.
“They found him and confirmed that he was alive too. The rescue team included the DSS, the police and other agencies.
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“I am very grateful. I was happy when they rescued me because the money my mother would have had to pay was hard-earned, and I don’t like to burden her. I’m grateful for the rescue and happy to be alive.
“Before, I didn’t have full confidence. The first time I heard gunshots, I thought this could be real.”
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for their support to the command, particularly the deployment of a police helicopter for the operation.
Ojajuni said the helicopter had provided the security forces with aerial surveillance and technical mapping of areas where ground operatives were required to act.
“Thank you for helping us in the fight against crime and criminality. The helicopter provided by the IGP has been helping us since we started operations and is a continuous help.
“It gave us an aerial view of the whole of Ogun State and technical mapping of where ground operatives will act, where there is any action.
“We thank the Inspector-General of Police for being gracious to give the command this technical support, which has been very, very, very gigantic in the fight against crime and criminality.
“We have recorded the rescue of kidnapped victims and the onslaught on kidnapping is ongoing. There will be further updates about this subsequently. It is indeed a great day in the history of Ogun State.
“Actually, it was a real operational affair. Ransoms were not paid. We rescued five in the early hours of today and handed them over to their respective families. We reunited them.
“Before then, we took them for medical treatment at police medical services.
“In the early hours, the helicopter, with the ground forces, stormed the kidnappers’ den and also rescued the remaining two victims.
“Thereafter, we successfully arrested two of the kidnappers. As we speak, they are with us and they are singing. We are still on the trail of others while the operation continues.”
Earlier, Governor Abiodun said the successful rescue operation demonstrated the effectiveness of collaboration between the state government and security agencies.
He said the first responsibility of every responsible government was the protection of lives and property, adding that development could only thrive in an atmosphere of safety and security.
“It’s a day that I’m extremely proud of. I’m very proud of the achievements of government working collaboratively with our law enforcement agencies.
“The first duty of every responsible government is the protection of lives and property. Society can only flourish where its people feel safe to live, to work, to invest and pursue their aspirations.
“Security, therefore, is not merely a function of government; it is a foundation upon which sustainable development is built.
“On Wednesday, the 29th day of July 2026, following reports of the abduction of students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, our government immediately activated a coordinated security response.
“Personnel and operational assets of the Nigerian Police, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Security Services, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Ogun State Security Network, our vigilantes, local hunters and all other security agencies were jointly mobilised to dominate the affected corridor and adjoining forests in an intensive search-and-rescue operation.
“Recognising the need to strengthen the operation with additional air support, I reached out to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Monday, August 3, 2026, to deploy aerial surveillance to complement the ongoing ground operations.
“I’m glad to report that the IG responded without delay by approving and deploying a police helicopter the same day.
“I’m standing here this evening, pleased to inform the good people of Ogun State that in the early hours of today, Thursday, 6th August 2026, the combined security operation successfully rescued all seven victims alive.
“One of the victims sustained a gunshot injury during the incident and was immediately evacuated for medical attention and has since been stabilised.
“This operation is still in progress, and I wish to assure the good people of Ogun State that our security agencies remain on the trail of every individual connected with this criminal enterprise.
“Let me state unequivocally that there will be no hiding place for kidnappers or any other criminals in Ogun State.
“Whether they are principal offenders, collaborators, informants, logistics providers or their sponsors, they will be identified, tracked down, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“Our resolve is clear: Ogun State will remain hostile to criminality and will be safe for every law-abiding citizen, resident or investor.”
