Gunmen abduct five GAPOSA students in Ogun

Suspected gunmen have abducted five students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade (GAPOSA), in Ogun State following an attack on a private student hostel.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night at about 8 p.m. when the armed men stormed a hostel located along Paraga Road in Ipara-Remo, a community near the institution.

According to reports, the attackers operated for about 30 minutes, firing gunshots before whisking away several occupants of the hostel.

In response to the incident, the management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic announced the suspension of all examinations scheduled for Thursday.

In a notice issued to students, the institution said Thursday’s examinations had been cancelled due to the security situation, while Friday’s examinations would proceed as scheduled unless otherwise communicated.

The management urged students to remain calm and continue preparing for their examinations, assuring them that any further updates would be officially announced.

The institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) later confirmed that five students were abducted during the attack.

In a statement jointly signed by SUG President Akinpelu Bukunmi Timothy, General Secretary Salau Boluwaduro Saidat and Public Relations Officer Matthew Francis Sonayon, the union described the attacked hostel as being in a remote area surrounded by thick vegetation, making it vulnerable to criminal attacks.

The union disclosed that the attack began at about 7:45 p.m. and lasted for roughly 30 minutes.

It added that while some students managed to escape through the POP ceiling during the invasion, others were unable to flee before the gunmen struck.

According to the statement, no life was lost in the incident despite the gunshots fired by the attackers.

The SUG said the abduction had been reported to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, expressing confidence that efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ release.

It also appealed to students, parents and members of the public to ignore false or exaggerated reports circulating on social media, noting that such claims only create unnecessary panic.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said security operatives had launched an operation to rescue the victims.

He explained that tactical teams and intelligence personnel were immediately deployed after the command received the distress report, adding that bush-combing and other security operations were ongoing.

Babaseyi noted that investigations were still in progress and that the police had yet to verify the identities and exact number of those abducted.

He urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could interfere with ongoing rescue efforts.

The incident occurred barely 24 hours after a final-year Marketing student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, was reportedly killed during an overnight robbery in the Eruku area of Ogun State.