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 reportedly occurred at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday when the attackers invaded a hostel along Paraga Road in Ipara-Remo, a community near the institution.
Witnesses said the assailants operated for about 30 minutes, during which they fired gunshots before abducting several occupants of the hostel.
While some students claimed that at least eight people were taken away, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) confirmed that five students were abducted.
In response to the incident, the management of Gateway ICT Polytechnic announced the suspension of examinations scheduled for Thursday.
In a notice issued to students, the institution said Thursday’s examination had been cancelled following the attack but added that examinations scheduled for the following day would proceed unless otherwise announced.
The SUG described the attacked hostel as being located in a remote area surrounded by thick vegetation, making it vulnerable to criminal attacks.
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 said no student was killed during the incident.
According to the statement, several students escaped by climbing through the building’s POP ceiling, while others were unable to flee before the attackers abducted them.
The union said the incident had been reported to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, expressing confidence that efforts were underway to rescue the abducted students.
It also urged students, parents and members of the public to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media, stating that some accounts of the incident were exaggerated and capable of causing unnecessary panic.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Remo Local Government, Muyiwa Sodade, confirmed the abduction, saying security operatives had launched a search operation in nearby forests to rescue the victims.
The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, also confirmed that an abduction had occurred but said the command had yet to verify whether those kidnapped 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.”