• One victim shot, stabilised as security operatives hunt fleeing suspects
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday announced the rescue of seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, who were abducted in Remo North Local Government Area of the state, saying security operatives rescued all the victims alive without paying ransom.
Abiodun disclosed this during a press briefing at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where he commended the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for the successful operation. He said the coordinated operation involved the police, military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun, local hunters, vigilantes and other stakeholders.
The governor said five of the victims were first rescued in the early hours of Thursday and reunited with their families after receiving medical attention, while the remaining two were later rescued following a joint operation involving a police helicopter and ground forces. According to him, one of the victims sustained a gunshot injury during the incident but was promptly evacuated and stabilised.
Abiodun said the security operation was intensified after he contacted the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on August 3, requesting aerial surveillance to complement the ongoing ground operation. He said the IGP responded by approving the deployment of a police helicopter to assist the security agencies in tracking the kidnappers and locating their hideout.
He stated, “Our first responsibility as a government is the protection of lives and property. A society can only thrive where people feel safe to live, work, invest and pursue their aspirations. Security remains the foundation upon which sustainable development is built.”
The governor further revealed that two suspected members of the kidnapping gang had been arrested, while security operatives were still pursuing other members of the criminal network. He said some details of the operation could not be made public because of ongoing security considerations.
Warning criminals operating in the state, Abiodun declared that Ogun would not provide a safe haven for kidnappers, bandits, armed robbers, cultists or their collaborators. He said security agencies would go after not only principal offenders but also informants, sponsors and those providing logistics for criminal operations.
He said, “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 sponsors, they will be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
The governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening the operational capacity of security agencies, while praising the Inspector-General of Police, the DSS, Ogun State Police Command, military, NSCDC, Amotekun Corps, vigilantes, local hunters and other security personnel involved in the rescue operation.
He equally acknowledged the cooperation of the management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, parents of the abducted students, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents, saying their support was crucial to the success of the operation.
Abiodun assured residents and investors that his administration would continue to invest in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology and logistics to strengthen the state’s security architecture.
No ransom paid — CP
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, who spoke during the briefing, confirmed that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the seven students.
Ojajuni said, “It was a successful operation. No ransom was paid. We rescued five victims in the early hours of today and reunited them with their respective families. Before handing them over, they were taken to the Police Medical Services for examination and treatment.”
The police commissioner explained that the remaining two students were rescued during a coordinated operation involving a police helicopter and ground troops, who stormed the kidnappers’ hideout.
He said, “A helicopter, working in coordination with ground forces, stormed the kidnappers’ hideout and rescued the remaining two victims. We have also successfully arrested two of the kidnappers. They are currently in our custody and are cooperating with the investigation.”
Ojajuni added that the police were still combing the area for other members of the gang, stressing that the operation would continue until the remaining suspects were apprehended.
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