Friday, August 7, 2026 - Seven abducted victims, including 5 students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, (GAPOSA), Ogun State, who were abducted by suspected kidnappers have regained their freedom.
The victims were abducted on July 29, 2026 when the
attackers invaded a private student hostel along Paraga Road, Ipara-Remo, one
of the communities adjoining the polytechnic.
Addressing journalists at the State Secretariat in Oke
Mosan, Abeokuta, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, said the victims
were rescued in the early hours of Thursday, August 6.
He said the victims, including the students, were rescued in
two batches during a joint security operation supported by a police
helicopter.
Ojajuni said no ransom was paid and that all the victims
were rescued alive.
He added that the rescued victims were taken to the hospital
for medical attention before being reunited with their families.
"It was a real operational exercise. No ransom was
paid. We rescued five victims in the early hours of today and handed them over
to their respective families. Before then, we took them for medical
treatment," Ojajuni said.
“Also in the early hours of today, the helicopter, together
with ground forces, stormed the kidnappers’ den and rescued the remaining two
victims. We have successfully arrested two of the kidnappers. They are in our
custody and are cooperating with investigators. We are still on the trail of
the others while the operation continues.”
Also speaking, Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed that one of
the victims was shot during the rescue operation but was promptly revived at
the medical facility.
"Recognising the need to strengthen the operation with
additional air support, I reached out to the Inspector-General of Police,
Olatunji Disu, on Monday, 3 August 2026, to deploy aerial surveillance to
complement the ongoing ground operations,” he said.
"I am glad to report that the IGP responded without delay by approving and deploying a police helicopter the same day. I am standing here this evening pleased to inform the good people of Ogun State that, in the early hours of today, Thursday, 6 August 2026, the combined security operation successfully rescued all seven victims alive.
"One of the victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation. He was immediately evacuated for medical attention and has since been stabilised.”
The governor warned that Ogun State would not become a safe
haven for kidnappers and other criminal elements.
He stressed that security remains a shared responsibility
and urged residents to continue providing credible information to the
appropriate authorities.
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