ABEOKUTA – The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier and four hostages during a foiled kidnapping attempt targeting Chinese expatriates at Magbon Village in Mowe, 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.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Major Idereghi Akari, the security operatives were ambushed by armed men suspected to be kidnappers, leading to a fierce gun battle.

Akari disclosed that one of the suspected kidnappers was killed during the exchange of fire, while the remaining attackers fled through the surrounding forest towards the Ogun River. He said the suspects abducted five people and used them as human shields while attempting to evade a pursuing Quick Response Force.

“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,” Akari said.

He added that the fleeing gunmen later killed four of the hostages before escaping through the river channel in a boat. One of the hostages managed to escape and later informed security operatives that the assailants had taken away the body of their slain accomplice.

The Army spokesman also confirmed that a soldier was killed during the operation, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot wounds and are receiving medical treatment.

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

Following the incident, security agencies intensified patrols and surveillance operations in the area to restore calm and prevent further attacks.

However, the Ogun State Police Command provided a slightly different account of the number of victims abducted during the attack.

Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said four persons were abducted during the incident.

According to him, 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,” Babaseyi said.

He further disclosed that a local hunter assisting security operatives in the bush-combing operation was killed during an encounter with the fleeing criminals.

“The Command extends its condolences to his family,” he added.

Babaseyi noted that sustained pressure from the joint security team led to the neutralisation of one of the suspects, 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 remain committed to safeguarding lives and property across the state.