The Ogun State police command says it has rescued students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Sapade, abducted by suspected armed bandits in a private students’ off-campus hostel, along Paraga Road in Ipara.

The institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) had disclosed in a statement on July 29, 2026, that five students were abducted during an attack which occurred at about 7:45 p.m.

Confirming the latest development, however, the command spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, told the Peoples Gazette that, “The students have been rescued.”

When asked if any arrest was made during the rescue, he said, “I’ll give you a subsequent update later.”

The Ogun State Joint Campus Council of the National Association of Nigerian Students, and the National Association of Ogun State Students, confirmed the rescue in a joint statement on Thursday,

NANS and NAOSS said, “We are delighted that the students have been rescued alive and unharmed, bringing an end to the anxiety experienced by their families, colleagues and the entire Nigerian student community.”

Commending Governor Dapo Abiodun for his “unwavering commitment to the security of lives and property” and for providing the necessary support for the operation, both student bodies also appreciated the police, State Security Service, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and other security agencies involved in the operation.

The groups said security operatives’ “bravery, intelligence gathering and collaborative efforts ensured that the students were rescued without harm.”

The student associations noted that the successful operation demonstrates that with effective collaboration, intelligence-driven policing and strong government support, criminals can be decisively confronted.

“The successful operation has once again shown that when security agencies receive the necessary support and cooperation from the public, they are better positioned to discharge their constitutional responsibilities effectively,” the groups added.

They urged students to be vigilant, security conscious, and support efforts to ensure that campuses and surrounding communities remain safe.

The latest development came just a day after NANS issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the state government and security agencies to rescue the abducted students, and threatened to embark on peaceful protests after the deadline.