Five Gateway ICT Polytechnic students from Saapade, Ogun State, have shared their experiences after being rescued from kidnappers.
simple food excursion resulted in the five youngsters’ harrowing abduction.
They were kidnapped along the Isara-Ode route.
To them, last Tuesday was more than just a day of liberty.
The freed boys, relieved but obviously shaken, about their ordeal, outlining the events leading up to their kidnapping in the Remo North local government area of the state and final return to safety.
Driving an ash-colored Toyota, the students, four males and one woman, were stopped by torchlight-wielding gunmen stationed on a bridge.
According to the DAILY POST, it occurred less than 48 hours after suspected gunmen attacked students at the College of Engineering, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ibogun campus.
The 12 shooters allegedly forced the students’ doors open, took phones, jewellery, valuables, and even beverages before injuring them.
The victims described how they were kidnapped, saying the kidnappers used the lights to lure them to a stop before grabbing possession of the car and its occupants.
the captives were forced to journey three hours into the thick jungle before being allowed to sit and call their family for ransom.
Taye (not his real name) characterised the incident as shocking and revealed that the kidnappers sought a ransom of 20 million naira each.
“We were leaving the restaurant when they stopped and attacked us. They pretended to be cops, flashing flashlights at us to come to a stop, and then I heard a gunshot.
“At some point they threatened to take our lives if we are unable to pay a ransom of N20 million, they even pointed the gun at us and threatened to take our lives,” he murmured.
Victims are not strangers; they know the landscape.
The students claimed that their captors were not new to the Remo North area.
One of the victims identified the kidnappers as Fulani guys with extensive knowledge of the local community.
He described a stressful incident in the bush, revealing that there was a near-fatal clash when they called them “Fulani.”
“The kidnappers are Fulani who know the entire neighbourhood and surroundings.
“One of us even tried to call them Fulani and they became very mad to the extent that they pointed the gun at him, so that’s how we knew they were Fulani,” he said.
Meanwhile, another victim told that three of the students were ordered to pay a ransom of N20 million, but the vehicle’s driver and owner was shot in the leg and demanded N40 million.
Recall that DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the police spokesperson, revealed that when the command received the information, they dispatched a patrol squad to the area, where their car was discovered abandoned with evident bullet impacts and bloodstains.
Babaseyi stated that officers from Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Quick Response Squad (QRS), and OP MESA were quickly deployed, resulting in the victims’ safe rescue on Tuesday.
Briefing the press shortly after handing over the rescued pupils to the school, State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni revealed that the agents had engaged the kidnappers in a fire battle.
The Commissioner stated, “The persistent operational pressure resulted in the successful rescue of the five (5) victims from the captivity of the abductors on April 28, 2026. Due to conditions endured while in captivity, the victims were quickly rescued, debriefed, and transferred to a medical facility.
“During the rescue operation, the kidnappers engaged operatives in a gunfight but were outmatched by superior firepower and tactical response, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.” No casualties were reported among security personnel.”
Collaborate with us, police tell schools.
The police chief promised that the command had implemented all necessary safety measures to protect all students and workers in the state.
He did, however, advocate for coordination between institutions and the command, guaranteeing them of a prompt reaction to any emergency or distress call.
“I’m taking this opportunity to assure the administration of all schools and institutions in Ogun State that the police will do everything in our power to protect these schools and their kids.
“We are also encouraging them to stay in touch with local police officers and myself, the Commissioner of Police, or any other senior officer in command so that we can respond swiftly to any emergency or distress call that may arise from their end.
“Like the OOU, we discovered that the police station is simply too far from campus, so I quickly constructed a police presence there to address their immediate security needs.
“We are in contact with all school administrators across the state, and we are putting in place additional safeguards to protect students.”
“We appeal to the school authorities and students to cooperate with us and see us as partners in progress and collaborator to ensure that we have secured campuses and secured students,” Ojajuni said.
He warned offenders in the state to change their ways or face the consequences of the law.
“It is up to them to change their mind and be law abiding or the long arm of the law will catch up with them in a jiffy, not even in the long run,” he said.
School management and SUG commend the police work.
Speaking on behalf of the institution’s governing council, Deputy Rector Mr Taiwo Ogunyinka handed an appreciation letter to the CP, expressing gratitude for the bravery and prompt efforts that resulted in the students’ rescue.
He informed the command that the university would continue to help it in order to keep students and other management staff safe and protected.
Meanwhile, the institution’s SUG president, Comrade Akinpelu Timothy, praised the Commissioner of Police for his prompt response, saying it had reassured students that their lives were in safe hands.