By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
A Nigerian soldier and four hostages have been confirmed killed during a foiled kidnapping attempt targeting Chinese expatriates operating at Magbon Village in Mowe, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The horrifying incident occurred on June 8, 2026, when a joint security team comprising personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force responded to a distress call from a dredging site where Chinese expatriates were working.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Major Idereghi Akari, the operatives were ambushed by heavily armed men suspected to be kidnappers, leading to a fierce gun battle.
Akari disclosed that one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised during the exchange of fire, while the remaining attackers fled through the surrounding forest towards the Ogun River.
“The incident occurred on June 8, 2026, when the joint security team was ambushed by armed men suspected to be kidnappers while responding to a distress call around a dredging site where expatriate workers were engaged in operations,” he stated.
The Army spokesman explained that the attackers abducted five persons and used them as human shields while attempting to evade a pursuing Quick Response Force.
He added that the fleeing gunmen later killed four of the hostages before escaping through the river channel in a boat.
“One of the hostages managed to escape and later informed security operatives that the assailants had taken away the body of their slain accomplice,” Akari said.
The Army also confirmed that one soldier was killed during the operation, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment.
“The deceased soldier and the recovered bodies of the hostages have been deposited at the mortuary of the General Hospital, Sagamu,” Akari added.
Following the attack, security agencies intensified patrols and surveillance operations in the area to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command dismissed speculations linking the incident to banditry, describing it as an isolated criminal attack.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Command clarified that preliminary investigations did not indicate any connection to organised bandit activities.
“The Ogun State Police Command wishes to clarify that the security incident recorded at a private dredging site in Magbon Etido, Mowe, was an isolated criminal attack and not a bandit operation as being speculated in some quarters,” the statement read.
The police spokesman confirmed that a soldier on security duty lost his life during the attack, while another sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.
He stated that police operatives, in collaboration with the military and other security agencies, immediately launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations after the attackers abducted four persons during the incident.
According to Babaseyi, one abducted victim was rescued alive, while the remains of the other three victims were later recovered.
He further disclosed that a local hunter assisting security operatives during the bush-combing exercise was also killed during an encounter with the fleeing criminals.
“The Command extends its condolences to his family,” he said.
Babaseyi noted that sustained tactical pressure from the joint security team led to the neutralisation of one of the suspects, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.
He reassured residents that the situation was under control and that security presence had been reinforced across the area.
“The incident remains an isolated criminal attack,” the police spokesman added.
