The peace of a routine grocery run turned into a nightmare for five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, who have opened up about their terrifying encounter with kidnappers along the Isara-Ode road in Ogun State. The victims, consisting of four males and one female, were traveling in an ash-colored Toyota when they were ambushed by gunmen who used a deceptive tactic to bring them to a halt.
Recounting the ordeal to Zoyols News, the students explained that the abductors were stationed on a bridge and used high-powered torchlights to flag them down, successfully mimicking a police checkpoint. The moment the car stopped, the atmosphere changed from confusion to pure terror as the armed men, numbering about twelve, opened fire and forced the occupants out. The driver of the vehicle sustained a leg wound during the initial attack before the group was marched into the thick jungle of Remo North.
One of the survivors, using the pseudonym Taye, described the walk through the forest as a grueling three-hour journey before the kidnappers finally settled down to make their demands. The captors, whom the students identified as Fulani men due to their language and familiarity with the local terrain, became violently agitated when their ethnicity was mentioned. At one point, a student was nearly shot after referring to them as Fulani, with the kidnappers warning that they would not hesitate to kill if their N20 million ransom per head was not met. For the owner of the car, the demand was even higher, reaching N40 million.
The situation in Ogun State has been tense, especially as this abduction occurred just 48 hours after a similar raid on a student residence near Olabisi Onabanjo University’s Ibogun campus. In that instance, gunmen reportedly stripped students of their jewelry, electronics, and personal belongings, leaving several injured in their wake.
Relief finally came on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, following a massive coordinated rescue operation involving the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, SWAT, the Quick Response Squad, and OP MESA. State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, confirmed that the rescue team engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle. While the criminals managed to flee into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds, the five students were safely extracted without any casualties among the security forces.
Zoyols News gathered that the rescued students were immediately taken for medical evaluation and debriefing to manage the trauma of their captivity. Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police directed the immediate establishment of new police posts near various campuses to bridge the security gap created by the distance between schools and existing stations. He urged school administrations and the Student Union Government to maintain direct communication with the command to ensure a faster response to emergencies.
The management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, represented by Deputy Rector Mr. Taiwo Ogunyinka, has expressed profound gratitude to the police for their bravery. Similarly, the SUG President, Comrade Akinpelu Timothy, noted that the successful rescue has restored a sense of safety among the student body, though the call for heightened vigilance remains a priority for everyone in the area.
