Juliet Oladele, Reporting
ABEOKUTA, Nigeria — In a significant victory against the rising tide of kidnapping in Nigeria’s south-west, all seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, who were abducted last week, have been freed alive following a coordinated security operation.
Governor Dapo Abiodun confirmed the successful rescue on Thursday, announcing that two suspected kidnappers are now in custody.
The students were taken by gunmen on July 29, prompting the state government to immediately activate a comprehensive security response. Governor Abiodun, addressing journalists at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, revealed that he had personally requested the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, who approved the deployment of a police helicopter to bolster the operation.
“The combined security operation successfully rescued all seven victims alive,” Abiodun stated.
The rescue unfolded in phases, with five students freed during the initial stage. The remaining two were liberated in a subsequent assault involving both the police helicopter and ground forces.
One of the rescued students sustained a gunshot injury during the ordeal but has since received medical treatment and is in a stable condition.
The operation was a multi-agency effort, bringing together the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Amotekun Corps, as well as local vigilantes and hunters.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, who was also present at the briefing, emphasised that no ransom was paid to secure the students’ release. “It was a successful operation. No ransom was paid,” he confirmed.
While declining to disclose the exact location of the rescue, the governor assured residents that security forces remain committed to dismantling the criminal network responsible for the abduction.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture and commended the various security agencies for their collaboration.
The freed students underwent medical examinations before being reunited with their families.
The two arrested suspects are currently in custody and are being interrogated as security operatives continue to pursue other members of the gang.
This rescue comes amid heightened concern over school abductions in Nigeria.
Earlier this week, it was reported that at least 308 people were freed in what was described as the “largest single-day rescue operation ever” in the country’s north, highlighting the persistent security challenges facing the nation .
