The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, who were abducted by armed men in the Saapade axis of the state.
This was contained in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.
According to the statement, the incident happened on Monday at about 10:55 p.m. when the Ipara Divisional Headquarters received a distress call reporting a suspected abduction.
Babaseyi said police operatives were immediately deployed to the scene, where they discovered an ash-coloured Toyota vehicle abandoned by the roadside.
He noted that the vehicle had bullet holes and blood stains, while mobile phones and other personal items were recovered from it.
Further checks at the scene revealed a student identity card from Gateway Polytechnic, confirming that the victims were occupants of the vehicle, prompting a wider security response.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, thereafter ordered the deployment of tactical teams, including the SWAT unit, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Violent Crime Response Unit, Quick Response Squad, and OP MESA, for a coordinated search and rescue operation.
The sustained operation led to the safe rescue of the five students on Tuesday, after intensive tracking and bush combing across suspected routes.
The victims were evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical evaluation following the ordeal.
During the rescue effort, security operatives reportedly engaged the kidnappers in a gunfire exchange, forcing them to flee with suspected injuries, while no police personnel were harmed.
The police spokesperson commended the officers involved for their swift response and professionalism, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Residents were also advised to remain alert and promptly report any suspicious movement to security agencies for quick action.