Gunmen kidnap students at Ogun polytechnic

Five students from Gateway ICT Polytechnic in Saapade, Ogun State, were taken by suspected gunmen. This happened after they attacked a private hostel in Ipara-Remo on Wednesday night. The school has now postponed Thursday’s exam.

Reports say the attackers struck a private student hostel along Paraga Road in Ipara-Remo. This area is close to the polytechnic. They operated for about 30 minutes while firing shots.

Some students claimed that at least eight people were taken. However, the Students’ Union Government said only five students were kidnapped. The Police have not confirmed the exact number yet.

In a statement signed by the SUG President, Akinpelu Timothy; General Secretary, Salau Saidat; and Public Relations Officer, Matthew Sonayon, they said the hostel is vulnerable due to its location. They explained, "At approximately 7:45 p.m., suspected armed bandits attacked a private student hostel located along Paraga Road, Ipara. The hostel is situated in a remote area surrounded by thick bush, making it vulnerable and unsuitable as a safe residential environment for students."

They added, "The attack lasted for approximately 30 minutes. Due to the isolated location of the hostel, residents in surrounding areas were unable to hear or respond to the incident in time. During the attack, the assailants fired gunshots; however, no student lost their life. By the grace of God, several students escaped through the POP ceiling, while others were unable to flee."

The union confirmed that five students were abducted. They reported the incident to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies. They expressed confidence that efforts are underway to ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped students.

After the incident, the polytechnic management announced that Thursday’s examination would not hold. They stated, "Following the unfortunate incident that occurred yesterday, today’s examination has been cancelled. However, tomorrow’s examination remains scheduled as planned. If there is any change regarding tomorrow’s examination, an official announcement will be communicated promptly."

The notice also encouraged all students to stay calm and keep preparing for their exams. The management said, "We are hopeful that the situation will be resolved soon."

The Students’ Union also called on students, parents, and the public to ignore what they called false and exaggerated reports on social media.

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident. They have started a coordinated rescue operation with other security agencies to free the victims and catch the kidnappers.

In a statement from their spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the command said, "The Ogun State Police Command is aware of the abduction incident at a private hostel in the Ipara area on the night of Wednesday, July 29, 2026."

They mentioned that once the distress call came in, the Police and other security agencies quickly acted. They deployed tactical teams and intelligence resources to the area. The Police are currently working on rescue operations to bring the victims back safely and to capture those responsible.

The police also asked for calm from the public. They urged everyone not to spread false information that could affect the rescue efforts. The statement concluded, "The Ogun State Police Command appeals to parents, students, and the general public to remain calm and disregard any misinformation capable of undermining the ongoing operations."