The Nigerian Army says its Troops of the 35 Artillery Brigade, working with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, have foiled an attempted kidnapping of Chinese expatriates at Magbon Village in the Mowe area of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The Army disclosed this in a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Major Idereghi Samuel Akari.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Monday when the joint security team responded to a distress call from a dredging site where expatriate workers were carrying out operations.
The security operatives were reportedly ambushed by armed men suspected to be kidnappers, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
During the encounter, one of the attackers was neutralised, while others fled into the surrounding forest.
The Army said the fleeing suspects took five hostages as human shields while attempting to evade a Quick Response Force deployed to the area.
Tragically, the attackers allegedly killed four of the hostages before escaping through the Ogun River using a boat.
One of the victims reportedly escaped and later recounted how the assailants evacuated the body of their fallen colleague during the retreat.
The incident also claimed the life of a soldier, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment.
The remains of the deceased soldier and the recovered bodies of the hostages have been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Sagamu.
Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified patrols and surveillance operations across the area as efforts continue to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further security breaches.
Security authorities have assured residents of sustained operations to restore calm in the affected communities and strengthen security around critical business locations in the State.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
