The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier and four hostages following a violent kidnapping attempt targeting Chinese expatriates at Magbon Village in the Mowe area of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State.
The incident occurred on June 8, 2026, when a joint patrol team of soldiers and police officers responded to a distress call at a dredging site where expatriate workers were operating. According to Major Idereghi Akari, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the 35 Artillery Brigade in Alamala, Abeokuta, the team was ambushed by armed men suspected to be kidnappers upon arrival.
A gun battle ensued, during which one attacker was killed. The remaining suspects retreated into a forest toward the Ogun River, seizing five persons as human shields to forestall pursuit by a Quick Response Force that had been deployed as reinforcement. Before escaping by boat through the river channel, the fleeing gunmen killed four of the hostages. One survivor escaped and reported that the attackers retrieved the body of their slain accomplice before fleeing.
A soldier was killed in the encounter, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot wounds. The Army said the deceased soldier and the recovered bodies of the hostages have been deposited at the mortuary of the General Hospital, Sagamu, while the injured personnel are receiving medical attention.
The Ogun State Police Command offered a slightly different account of the casualty figures. Spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said four persons were abducted during the attack — one of whom was rescued alive, with the remains of three others subsequently recovered. Babaseyi also disclosed that a local hunter supporting the security operation was killed during a bush-combing exercise.
“Sustained tactical pressure by the joint security team led to the neutralisation of one of the suspects, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang,” Babaseyi said, describing the incident as an isolated criminal attack.
Security agencies have since intensified patrols and surveillance across the area to forestall further breaches.
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