Army, DSS, Other Security Agencies Rescue Seven Kidnapped Ogun Students
The combined efforts of the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have led to the successful rescue of seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, who were abducted earlier this week by suspected kidnappers.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, announced the development on Thursday while briefing journalists at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, alongside security chiefs and some of the rescued students.
According to the governor, the operation involved the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the DSS, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), local vigilantes and hunters.
“I am pleased to inform the good people of Ogun State that in the early hours of today, Thursday, August 6, 2026, the combined security operation successfully rescued all seven victims alive.
“One of the victims sustained a gunshot injury during the incident and was immediately evacuated for medical attention. The student has since been stabilised.
“This operation is still ongoing, and I wish to assure the good people of Ogun State that our security agencies remain on the trail of every individual connected with this criminal enterprise,” Abiodun said.
The governor disclosed that the operation received a major boost after the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, approved the deployment of a police helicopter for aerial surveillance, describing the move as crucial to the successful rescue mission.
He said security agencies had intensified efforts to apprehend other members of the kidnapping gang still at large, adding that recent joint security initiatives, particularly Operation Kò S’Áyé, had demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and sustained operational pressure against criminal elements.
Abiodun also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting security agencies through sustained investments in intelligence gathering, modern security assets and operational capacity, noting that such efforts have strengthened coordinated responses to insecurity across the country.
He further expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, community leaders, the families of the victims, the students and the management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic for their patience and cooperation throughout the rescue operation.
Speaking during the briefing, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bode Ojajuni, disclosed that no ransom was paid to secure the students’ freedom, stressing that the rescue was achieved solely through the coordinated efforts of security operatives.
Ojajuni added that two suspected kidnappers had been arrested and were providing useful information to investigators, while security agencies had intensified the manhunt for other fleeing members of the gang.
