Soldier, Four Hostages Killed as Security Operatives Foil Kidnap Attempt on Chinese Expatriates in Ogun
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier and four hostages during a foiled kidnap attempt targeting Chinese expatriates in Magbon, Mowe, within Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The incident occurred on Monday when a joint security team comprising military personnel and police officers responded to a distress call from a dredging site where Chinese expatriates were working.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Major Idereghi Akari, said the security operatives were ambushed by armed men suspected to be kidnappers, leading to a fierce gun battle.
According to him, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed during the exchange of fire, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot injuries.
Akari explained that the attackers, after abandoning their mission to abduct the expatriates, fled through the surrounding forest towards the Ogun River, taking five hostages as human shields in a bid to evade troops from a Quick Response Force deployed to the area.
“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.
“A fierce exchange of fire ensued, during which one of the attackers was neutralised. The remaining assailants reportedly abandoned their mission and withdrew through the surrounding forest towards the Ogun River, taking five hostages as human shields to evade pursuit by a Quick Response Force deployed as reinforcement,” he said.
The Army spokesman disclosed that the fleeing kidnappers later killed four of the hostages before escaping through the river channel in a boat.
He added that one of the hostages managed to escape and subsequently informed security operatives that the assailants took away the body of their slain accomplice while fleeing.
Akari said the soldier who died in the operation and the recovered bodies of the hostages had been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Sagamu, while the injured security personnel were receiving treatment.
Following the incident, he said security agencies had intensified patrols and surveillance across the area to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among residents.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command also provided an update on the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said four persons were abducted during the attack and that a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving the police, military and other security stakeholders was immediately launched.
According to him, one of the abducted victims was rescued alive, while the remains of the three others were later recovered.
Babaseyi further disclosed that a local hunter assisting security operatives in the bush-combing exercise was killed during an encounter with the fleeing criminals.
“Police operatives, in collaboration with the military and other security stakeholders, immediately launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations.
“One of the abducted victims was rescued, while the remains of the other three victims were later recovered.
“During the bush-combing exercise, a local hunter supporting the operation lost his life in an encounter with the fleeing criminals. The Command extends its condolences to his family,” he said.
The police spokesperson noted that sustained pressure from the joint security team led to the neutralisation of one suspect, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
He described the incident as an isolated criminal attack and assured residents that security agencies remained committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.