Soldier, four hostages killed as troops foil kidnap attempt on Chinese expatriates in Ogun

A joint operation by troops of the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Alamala, Abeokuta, and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force has foiled an attempted abduction of Chinese expatriates at Magbon Village in the Mowe axis of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The operation, which took place on Sunday, followed a distress call from a dredging site where the expatriates were working.

According to a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of the brigade, Major Idereghi Samuel Akari, the security team was ambushed by armed men suspected to be kidnappers while responding to the emergency call.

The troops reportedly engaged the attackers in a gun battle, during which one of the suspects was neutralised, forcing others to flee into nearby forest terrain.

However, the fleeing attackers abducted five persons and reportedly used them as human shields while escaping from pursuing security operatives.

Tragically, four of the hostages were later killed by the kidnappers before they escaped through a river channel using a boat, according to the army.

A soldier also lost his life during the encounter, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving treatment.

The army said the remains of the deceased soldier and the four slain hostages have been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Sagamu, while intensified patrols and surveillance operations have been launched in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and restore security.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, while investigations and search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing.