One Soldier, Four Hostages Die After Failed Kidnap Plot Targeting Chinese Workers in Ogun

An attempted kidnapping of Chinese expatriates in Ogun State ended in tragedy after a joint security operation successfully thwarted the plot but left a soldier and four hostages dead.

The incident occurred on Sunday at a dredging site in Magbon Village, located in the Mowe axis of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, where Chinese nationals were carrying out operations.

Troops from the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army and officers of the Nigeria Police Force were responding to an emergency call when they were ambushed by heavily armed men suspected to be kidnappers.

According to a statement issued by Major Idereghi Samuel Akari, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the brigade, the security team engaged the attackers in a fierce gunfight that disrupted the planned abduction.

“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,” Akari said.

During the exchange, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed, forcing the remaining attackers to retreat.

However, as they fled through the surrounding forest toward the Ogun River, the suspects reportedly seized five individuals and used them as human shields to avoid capture.

“The remaining assailants reportedly abandoned their mission and withdrew through surrounding forest terrain towards the Ogun River, taking five hostages as human shields to evade pursuit by a Quick Response Force deployed as reinforcement,” the Army spokesperson stated.

The situation later turned deadly when four of the hostages were allegedly killed by the kidnappers before the gang escaped by boat through a river channel.

One hostage reportedly managed to escape and informed authorities that the criminals also carried away the body of their deceased accomplice.

The confrontation also claimed the life of a soldier, while another soldier and two police officers suffered gunshot wounds.

“Regrettably, a soldier lost his life during the encounter, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot injuries,” Akari said.

The deceased soldier and the four slain hostages have been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Sagamu, while the injured security personnel are receiving treatment.

Following the attack, security agencies launched intensified patrols and surveillance operations across the area.

“The Quick Response Force and other security agencies have intensified patrols and surveillance in the area to restore calm and prevent further security breaches,” Akari added.

Authorities say efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are ongoing, while the identities of the victims have not yet been released.

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