Police Confirm Abduction Of 5 Ogun Poly Students, Intensify Rescue Operations

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the widespread rumour of the kidnap of some students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, who were abducted by gunmen during a night attack on a private off-campus hostel in Ipara in the Remo North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Seyi Babaseyi, confirmed the abduction in a statement issued and made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Babaseyi in the statement said the command was aware of the incident which occured late Wednesday night of July 29, 2026 and that the command has since activated all its tactical units towards ensuring safer rescue of the victims.

“Immediately the distress report was received, the Police and other security agencies activated a coordinated operational response, deploying tactical teams and intelligence assets to the area. Rescue operations are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible.”

The Command also cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information capable of undermining ongoing rescue operations and investigations.

Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP gathered that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had invaded a privately owned students’ hostel located along Paraga Road in Ipara township where they abducted unspecified number of students.

Also, a viral video circulating on social media had alleged that over 20 students of the institution were kidnapped during an operation which lasted over 30 minutes in the area.

But the statement issued by the police’s spokesman in the state however, doused the tension already generated over the attack on the students’ hostel.

Babaseyi in the statement disclosed that police’s tactical teams and other intelligence operatives were promptly deployed to the area to track the kidnappers and facilitate the safe rescue of the victims.

He added that extensive bush-combing operations and other targeted security measures were underway to locate the abducted students and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution confirmed that only five students were abducted during the attack, thus dismissing the widespread social media reports suggesting that the incident was more devastating than it actually was.

In the statement jointly signed by the SUG President, Comrade Akinpelu Bukunmi Timothy; General Secretary, Comrade Salau Boluwaduro Saidat, and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Ambassador Matthew Francis Sonayon, the union said the attack occurred at about 7:45p.m. on Wednesday at the students’ hostel in Ipara.

According to the union, the hostel is located in a secluded area surrounded by thick vegetation, making it particularly vulnerable to criminal attacks.

The SUG disclosed that the armed assailants operated for about 30 minutes, firing several gunshots during the invasion.

Despite the frightening attack, the union stressed that no student was killed, contrary to rumours circulating online.

The statement further revealed that while some occupants escaped by breaking through the POP ceiling of the building, others were unable to flee before the gunmen abducted five students and escaped.

The statement however, appealed to parents, guardians, students and members of the public to ignore exaggerated and misleading reports capable of creating unnecessary panic within the institution and neighbouring communities.

The union maintained that while the incident remained a serious security concern, the circulation of false information did not reflect the actual situation and could negatively affect ongoing rescue efforts.

The SUG also advised students seeking off-campus accommodation to patronise hostels located within secure and populated neighbourhoods with easier access to emergency response, rather than isolated areas vulnerable to criminal activities.

The union expressed solidarity with the affected students and their families, calling on the public to continue supporting security agencies with useful information and prayers for the safe return of the abducted students.