Ogun Poly: Police begin rescue operations as five students kidnapped

By James Ogunnaike

The Ogun State Police Command on Thursday said it has commenced efforts to rescue students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, abducted by gunmen during an attack on a private off-campus hostel in Ipara, assuring residents that tactical operations are ongoing to secure their release.

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

It was gathered that the students were abducted on Wednesday night when suspected kidnappers stormed a privately owned hostel located along Paraga Road in Ipara, an area outside the institution’s main campus.

Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the Command received a distress report shortly after the attack and immediately launched a coordinated security response.

According to him, tactical police teams and intelligence operatives were promptly deployed to the area to track the kidnappers and facilitate the safe rescue of the victims.

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

Babaseyi said, “The Ogun State Police Command received a distress report shortly after the incident and immediately activated a coordinated operational response. Tactical police teams and intelligence units were deployed to the area to track the kidnappers and ensure the safe rescue of the victims”.

The police spokesman, however, noted that the exact number of abducted students had yet to be officially verified, explaining that investigations were still ongoing to establish the full details of the incident before releasing confirmed figures.

He urged residents to disregard speculative reports circulating on social media, warning that the spread of false information could hamper ongoing security operations.

“Members of the public are advised to disregard unverified reports being circulated on social media and other platforms. The dissemination of inaccurate information has the potential to undermine ongoing rescue efforts and investigations,” he added.

Babaseyi reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to rescuing the victims safely and bringing the perpetrators to justice, while appealing to residents to remain calm and volunteer credible information that could assist security agencies.

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

In a 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 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday at a privately owned student hostel along Paraga Road, 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.

“Contrary to reports circulating on social media, no student lost his or her life during the incident. Five students were abducted, while some others escaped by breaking through the POP ceiling of the hostel,” the union stated.

The students’ body said the incident had been reported to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, which had already commenced rescue operations.

It 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.

Reaffirming its commitment to students’ welfare, the union said it was working closely with the institution’s management and security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abducted students and strengthen security measures around the academic community.

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.