Suspected bandits have abducted at least five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade (GAPOSA) in Ogun State. The attack occurred at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, when armed men invaded a private student hostel along Paraga Road in Ipara-Remo, a community near the polytechnic. The assault lasted for approximately 30 minutes, during which the assailants fired gunshots and abducted several students.
Conflicting Reports on Number of Abducted Students
While some students who spoke with Daily Trust claimed that at least eight students were taken, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) confirmed that five students were affected. The SUG statement, jointly signed by President Akinpelu Bukunmi Timothy, General Secretary Salau Boluwaduro Saidat, and Public Relations Officer Matthew Francis Sonayon, provided details of the incident. According to the union, “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.”
Details of the Attack
The SUG noted that 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, but no student lost their life. “By the grace of God, several students escaped through the POP ceiling, while others were unable to flee,” the statement added. The union confirmed that five students were abducted and that the matter had been officially reported to the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies. They expressed confidence that immediate efforts were underway to ensure the safe rescue of the affected students.
University Management Cancels Exam
Following the incident, the polytechnic management suspended the examination scheduled for Thursday. A notice from the school read: “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. For now, all students are encouraged to remain calm, stay positive, and continue preparing for their examinations. We are hopeful that the situation will be resolved soon.”
SUG Urges Public to Disregard False Information
The Students’ Union Government urged students, parents, guardians, and members of the public to disregard “false, exaggerated, and unverified information” circulating on social media. The union added: “While the incident is real and deeply unfortunate, many of the stories currently in circulation do not accurately represent the facts and only serve to create unnecessary fear and panic within the school community.”
Police and Local Government Response
The Chairman of Remo Local Government, Muyiwa Sodade, confirmed the incident, stating that security operatives were combing nearby forests in search of the victims. The Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, also confirmed the abduction but said the command had yet to ascertain whether the victims were students. “I can tell you there were abductions, but I cannot confirm anything beyond that for now. We are gathering intelligence and will provide further updates as they become available,” he said. “We don’t know yet whether those abducted are students.”
Security Concerns in the Area
The attack has raised concerns about the safety of students living in off-campus hostels, particularly those in remote areas. The SUG statement highlighted that the attacked hostel is situated in a remote area surrounded by thick bush, making it vulnerable. This incident adds to a series of security challenges in Ogun State, where banditry and kidnapping have occasionally targeted educational institutions. Authorities have yet to provide a timeline for the rescue of the abducted students.
