Ogun: Army confirms soldier, four hostages killed in foiled kidnapping attempt

Abeokuta: The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier and four hostages during a foiled kidnapping attempt targeting Chinese expatriates at Magbon Village in Mowe area of Ogun.

Maj. Idereghi Akari, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, disclosed this in a statement in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

According to Akari, the incident occurred on Monday at Magbon Village in the Mowe area of Obafemi-Owode Local Government during a joint security operation.

He explained that security team reportedly responded to a distress call from a dredging site where expatriate workers were carrying out operations.

According to him, the joint team was ambushed by armed men suspected to be kidnappers, leading to a fierce gun battle.

“One of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised during the exchange, while others retreated through nearby forest routes toward the Ogun River.

“The attackers reportedly took five hostages as human shields while escaping from pursuing security operatives deployed as reinforcement.

“Four of the hostages were later killed by the fleeing gunmen before they escaped through a river channel using a boat.

“A surviving hostage reportedly informed security personnel that the attackers also took away the body of their dead accomplice,” he said.

Akari stated that the operation recorded casualties among security personnel, with one soldier killed during the encounter.

He said that another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.

He added that the remains of the slain soldier and recovered hostages had been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Sagamu.

The army spokesperson noted that security agencies had intensified patrols and surveillance across the area to prevent further security breaches and restore public confidence.

He reiterated the army’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property through sustained collaboration with other security agencies in the state.