The Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun has sternly warned that the state would not tolerate and be an haven for kidnappers and other criminal elements. 

Abiodun stated this while briefing newsmen, Thursday at the governor’s office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, on the rescue of the seven kidnapped students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Sapaade. 

The governor lauded the timely intervention and coordination of the security agencies jointly mobilized to dominate the affected corridor and adjoining forests in an intensive search and rescue operation. 

“Following the reports of the abduction of students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, our government immediately activated a coordinated security response.

“​Personnel and operational assets of the Nigerian Police, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Security Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Security Network, our vigilantes and local hunters, and all other security agencies were jointly mobilized to dominate the affected corridor and adjoining forests in an intensive search and rescue operation.

​”Recognizing the need to strengthen the operation with additional air support, I reached out to the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, to deploy aerial surveillance to complement the ongoing ground operations.

“​I am glad to report that the IGP responded without delay by approving and deploying a police helicopter the same day.

“​I am standing here this evening pleased to inform the good people of Ogun State that in the early hours of today, Thursday, 6 August 2026, the combined security operation successfully rescued all seven victims alive”, he said 

Abiodun therefore warned that there will be no hiding place for kidnappers or any other criminals in the State, adding that the arrested suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law. 

​”Our security agencies will continue coordinated operations to dismantle kidnapping syndicates, destroy criminal hideouts within forested areas, disrupt their logistics networks, and deny criminal elements any safe haven within Ogun State.

​”Recent joint security initiatives, including Operation Kosaye have already demonstrated the value of intelligence sharing and coordinated inter-agency collaboration, and sustained operational pressure against these criminal elements”, he added

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni in his remarks stated that no ransom was paid in the course of the rescue operation, adding that five of the victims have since been reunited with their families. 

“No ransom was paid. We rescued five at the early hours of today. They undergone a medical services at the police hospital before being reunited with their families.

“Later, the helicopter with the ground forces stormed the kidnappers’ den and also rescued the remaining two victims. The suspects are with us, and they are ‘singing’, and we are still on the trail of others, while the operation continues”, he said.