Army Confirms Death of Soldier, Four Hostages in Ogun Abduction Attempt

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier and four hostages during an attempted abduction of Chinese expatriates in Magbon, Mowe, within Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

 

The 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.

 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Major Idereghi Akari, said the security operatives were ambushed by suspected kidnappers, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.

 

According to the Army, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed during the confrontation, while the remaining attackers fled through nearby forests toward the Ogun River.

 

Akari explained that the fleeing assailants took five hostages as human shields to evade a Quick Response Force deployed to reinforce the security team.

 

“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,” the statement said.

 

“A fierce exchange of fire ensued, during which one of the attackers was neutralised.”

 

The Army spokesman said the kidnappers later killed four of the hostages before escaping through the river channel in a boat.

 

One of the hostages reportedly escaped and informed security operatives that the attackers took away the body of their slain accomplice during their retreat.

 

Akari disclosed that a soldier was killed in the encounter, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving medical treatment.

 

“The deceased soldier and the recovered bodies of the hostages have been deposited at the mortuary of the General Hospital, Sagamu,” he added.

 

Following the attack, security agencies intensified patrols and surveillance operations across the area to prevent further security breaches and restore normalcy.

 

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command provided a slightly different account of the casualty figures.

 

Police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said four persons were abducted during the attack, adding that one victim was rescued while the bodies of the remaining three were later recovered.

 

He also disclosed that a local hunter assisting security operatives during the search-and-rescue operation was killed in an encounter with the fleeing criminals.

 

Babaseyi said sustained pressure from security forces led to the neutralisation of one suspect, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang.

 

He described the incident as an isolated criminal attack and assured residents that security agencies remained committed to safeguarding lives and property in the state.