Soldier, Four Hostages Killed As Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt In Ogun

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of four hostages and a soldier during a foiled attempt by suspected kidnappers to abduct foreign workers in Magbon village, Mowe.

The incident, which occurred on June 8, involved troops of the 35 Artillery Brigade working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force following a distress call from the area.

In a statement issued by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Major Idereghi Akari, the troops were ambushed by armed men suspected to be kidnappers near a dredging site where Chinese expatriates were working.

Akari said the security team engaged the attackers in a gun battle, during which one of the suspected kidnappers was killed, forcing the gang to abandon the abduction attempt and retreat towards the Ogun River.

According to him, the fleeing gunmen abducted five persons and used them as human shields while evading pursuing troops. He disclosed that the attackers later killed four of the hostages before escaping through a river channel in a boat.

One of the captives, however, managed to escape and later provided details of the incident, including how the attackers fled with the body of their slain accomplice.

The Army 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 bodies of the deceased soldier and the victims have been deposited at the General Hospital, Sagamu.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command said a coordinated search-and-rescue operation was immediately launched after the attack.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said one abducted victim was rescued, while the remains of three others were recovered during the operation. He added that a local hunter assisting security personnel was killed during an encounter with the fleeing suspects.

Babaseyi noted that sustained pressure from the joint security team led to the neutralisation of one gang member, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend others involved.

Authorities described the incident as an isolated attack and assured residents that security patrols and surveillance had been intensified to prevent further breaches and bring the perpetrators to justice.