Security Forces Rescue Seven Abducted Nigerian Students

Operatives of security agencies have rescued seven students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, who were held in captivity for eight days.

The students were kidnaped from a private hostel in Ipara-Remo on July 29 and released after a coordinated, intelligence-led operation involving various security agencies.

In Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the successful rescue of all seven students alive in a coordinated operation that involved ground troops and aerial surveillance.

The Governor revealed that as soon as the abduction was reported, security agencies launched a large scale search and rescue mission in the affected communities and adjoining forests.

He said he appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for more air support on August 3. The same day, a police helicopter was sent to complement the ongoing ground operations, which eventually led security operatives to the kidnappers’ hideout.

He called the operation a demonstration of the success of intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation and sustained operational pressure, while reiterating the state’s resolve to confront growing security threats around educational institutions.

“We’re not finished. We will dismantle every criminal network behind this attack. “Ogun State will not be a safe haven for kidnappers and other criminal elements,” the Governor declared.

Abiodun restated the state’s commitment to strengthening its security architecture by increasing investment in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, inter-agency cooperation, rapid response capabilities and community policing.

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He said the state government had increased support for the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and other security agencies, particularly around schools, major highways and border communities vulnerable to criminal activities.

The Governor stressed that the protection of lives and property remains central to the state’s development agenda as he noted that sustained security is critical to safeguarding educational institutions, attracting investment and promoting economic growth.

He commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local vigilantes, traditional rulers, community leaders and hunters for providing intelligence that facilitated the rescue.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, said one of the abducted students sustained a gunshot wound during the abduction but was promptly evacuated for medical treatment and has since been stabilized. He also confirmed no ransom was paid to free the students.

“It was a pure and simple success of operations. Five victims were rescued early on Thursday and taken for medical attention before being reunited with their families. Later our helicopter and ground forces raided the kidnappers’ hideout and rescued the remaining two victims,” Ojajuni said.

The police commissioner said two suspected kidnappers have been arrested and are assisting investigators while security operatives continue the manhunt for other members of the criminal network.