Six Killed as Kidnap Attempt on Chinese Expatriates Ends in Bloodshed in Ogun

A kidnap attempt targeting Chinese expatriate workers at a dredging site in Ogun State turned deadly on Monday, leaving six people dead, including a soldier, four hostages and a suspected kidnapper, following a fierce gun battle between security operatives and armed criminals.

The Nigerian Army disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday by Major Idereghi Akari, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta.

According to the Army, the incident occurred at Magbon Village in the Mowe area of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area after a joint security team responded to a distress call from a dredging facility where expatriate workers were reportedly under attack.

Upon arriving at the scene, security operatives encountered heavily armed gunmen suspected to be kidnappers. The attackers allegedly ambushed the responding team, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire.

Major Akari said one of the kidnappers was neutralised during the confrontation, while the remaining members of the gang fled through nearby forest routes towards the Ogun River.

In a desperate bid to evade arrest, the attackers reportedly seized five workers from the dredging site and used them as human shields while escaping from security operatives who had been deployed as reinforcements.

The Army said the fleeing gunmen later killed four of the hostages before escaping through a river channel using a boat.

A surviving hostage reportedly told investigators that the criminals also evacuated the body of their slain accomplice during the escape.

The operation also claimed the life of a soldier, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving medical attention.

The remains of the slain soldier and the deceased hostages have been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Sagamu.

Security agencies have since intensified surveillance operations and patrols across the area in a bid to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.

The Army reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and pledged continued collaboration with other security agencies to tackle criminal activities across Ogun State.