Five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, who were abducted by suspected kidnappers earlier this week, have been rescued by security operatives in a coordinated intelligence-led operation.

Also rescued were two other victims who are not students, bringing the total number of those freed to seven, while five suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation.

Intelligence-led operation

The victims were rescued in the early hours of Friday around the Alamala community, off Ayetoro Road Roundabout in Abeokuta, following a joint operation involving the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.

The operation was based on intelligence gathering and is still ongoing, with security operatives continuing efforts to apprehend other members of the suspected kidnapping syndicate.

Abiodun commends security agencies

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, praised the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, Amotekun Corps and other security stakeholders for the successful rescue of the victims.

He described the operation as a major breakthrough in the state’s fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes, saying it demonstrated the effectiveness of collaboration among security agencies.

According to the governor, the rescue reinforces his administration’s commitment to ensuring that kidnappers and other criminal elements have no safe haven in Ogun State.

One victim hospitalised

Abiodun disclosed that one of the rescued students sustained a gunshot wound during the abduction and was immediately evacuated for medical treatment.

“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,” the governor said.

He added that Ogun State would remain hostile to criminality and safe for residents, businesses and investors.

Tinubu hailed over security reforms

The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising the fight against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping across the country.

He said 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 cited the recent rescue of 308 abducted victims by Nigerian security forces as evidence of the growing effectiveness of coordinated security operations nationwide. He added that the Federal Government’s investments in intelligence coordination, modern security assets and improved welfare for military personnel would further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and boost the morale of security operatives in the fight against crime.