A kidnapping incident targeting Chinese expatriates in Magbon Village, Mowe area of Obafemi-Owode Local Government, Ogun State, has resulted in the death of no fewer than four hostages and a solider.
It had earlier reported that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded the dredging site popularly known as Capo in the early hours of Monday.
One of the soldiers protecting the people was killed and another shot and wounded, witnesses said.
A local hunter who was helping in the bush-combing exercise was killed in an exchange with the fleeing criminals, it was gathered.
The Assistant Director Army Public Relations 35 Artillery Brigade, Idereghi Akari, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, saying the troops in conjunction with the Nigerian Police responded to the distress call at a dredging site where expatriate workers were engaged in operations.
Akari said the attackers encountered a fierce exchange of fire in which one of the attackers was taken out, while the others reportedly fled the mission and withdrew through forest terrain surrounding the area towards the Ogun River.
The kidnappers took five hostages as human shields to prevent being followed by a Quick Response Force deployed as reinforcement, the statement said.
He said four of the hostages were killed by the fleeing attackers before they fled through the river channel in a boat with one hostage who escaped, who described how the assailants took the body of their dead colleague with them.
“The incident occurred on Monday, June 8, 2026, when the joint security patrol was attacked by armed men, suspected kidnappers while responding to a distress call at a dredging site where the expatriate workers were engaged in operations,” the statement said in part.
A bitter gun battle ensued and one of the assailants was neutralized. The rest of the attackers reportedly gave up their mission and retreated into the nearby forest towards the Ogun River, taking five hostages as human shields to avoid being chased by a Quick Response Force which arrived as reinforcement.
The fleeing attackers later killed the four hostages and then escaped by the river channel in a boat.”
The army also confirmed that one soldier was killed in the encounter, while another soldier and two police officers were injured in the gunfight.
The deceased soldier and the four recovered bodies of victims have been deposited at the mortuary of the General Hospital, Sagamu, he said, adding that the injured personnel are receiving medical attention.
“Following the incident, the Quick Response Force and other security agencies have increased patrols and surveillance in the area to restore calm and stop further security breaches, the statement added.
Major Akari said the military was still committed to protecting lives and property and assured residents that operations in the Mowe axis would continue until the fleeing assailants are captured.
