Troops of the 35 Artillery Brigade, in collaboration with the Nigerian Police, have successfully thwarted a kidnapping attempt targeting Chinese expatriates in Magbon Village, located in the Mowe axis of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State.
Joint Patrol Operation Thwarts Ambush
Major Idereghi Samuel Akari, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 35 Artillery Brigade, disclosed that the incident occurred on Monday during a routine joint patrol. The security team responded to a distress call from a dredging site where expatriate workers were operating. Upon arrival, the patrol was ambushed by armed men suspected to be kidnappers, sparking a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Attackers Neutralized, Hostages Killed
According to Major Akari, one of the attackers was neutralized during the confrontation. The remaining assailants abandoned their mission and fled through the surrounding forest toward the Ogun River, taking five hostages as human shields. Despite the deployment of a Quick Response Force as reinforcement, the fleeing attackers killed four of the hostages before escaping via a boat through the river channel. One hostage managed to escape and reported that the assailants also took the body of their deceased colleague during their withdrawal.
Casualties and Response
Major Akari regretted that a soldier lost his life during the encounter, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot injuries. “The deceased soldier and the recovered bodies of the hostages have been deposited at the mortuary of the General Hospital, Sagamu. The injured personnel are currently receiving medical attention,” he said.
Security Measures Intensified
Following the incident, the Quick Response Force and other security agencies have intensified patrols and surveillance in the area to restore calm and prevent further security breaches.
