A soldier, three kidnapped civilians and a local hunter have been confirmed dead following a deadly attack by armed gunmen on a private dredging site in the Karanla community of Magbon, in the Mowe area of Ogun State.
The victims were killed after gunmen ambushed security operatives responding to a distress call over an attempted kidnapping of Chinese expatriates working at the site.
The Nigerian Army and Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident on Tuesday, saying security forces have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing attackers.
The 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army said the attack occurred when a joint security team responded to reports that armed men were attempting to abduct Chinese nationals working at the dredging facility.
In a statement issued by the Brigade’s spokesman, Major Idereghi Samuel Akari, the Army disclosed that the security team engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
According to him, one of the gunmen was neutralised during the exchange of fire, forcing the remaining members of the gang to retreat into the surrounding forest.
However, the fleeing assailants reportedly seized five persons and used them as human shields while escaping towards the Ogun River.
Hostages Killed During Escape
Akari revealed that four of the hostages were later killed by the attackers as they fled through the river channel in a boat.
“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 four hostages were later killed by the fleeing attackers before they escaped through the river channel with a boat. One of the hostages who escaped narrated how the assailants took the body of their dead colleague along with them,” he said.
Sources familiar with the operation said one of the intended victims, a Chinese expatriate, escaped during the exchange of gunfire between the attackers and security personnel.
The Army also confirmed the death of one soldier during the operation, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot wounds.
“Regrettably, a soldier lost his life during the encounter, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot injuries,” Akari stated.
He added that the deceased soldier and recovered victims had been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Sagamu, while the injured security personnel were receiving treatment.
The Army assured residents that additional troops had been deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent further security breaches.
Providing further details, Ogun State Police Command spokesman, DSP Boluwatife Babaseyi, said four bodies were recovered during search operations conducted by security forces.
According to him, three of the deceased were hostages abducted by the kidnappers, while the fourth was a local hunter assisting security personnel in tracking the fleeing criminals.
“The attackers abducted four persons during the incident. 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.
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The police spokesman disclosed that the hunter lost his life during the bush-combing exercise aimed at locating the kidnappers.
“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 added.
Babaseyi said sustained pressure from the joint security team led to the neutralisation of one suspect, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.
He described the attack as an isolated criminal incident and assured residents that security agencies were working together to prevent a recurrence.
“The incident remains an isolated criminal attack,” he said.
Security agencies have since intensified surveillance across the affected area and adjoining waterways as the search for the fleeing gunmen continues.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.