Soldier, four hostages killed in foiled kidnap of Chinese expatriates in Ogun

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By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

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Troops of the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Alamala, Abeokuta, working in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, have foiled an attempted abduction of Chinese expatriates at Magbon Village in the Mowe axis of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

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

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According to the army, the joint security team came under attack from armed men suspected to be kidnappers while responding to the emergency call.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Major Idereghi Samuel Akari, the troops engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, successfully disrupting the kidnapping attempt.

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Akari said one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised during the exchange of fire, forcing the remaining assailants to retreat into the surrounding forest.

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“The joint security team was ambushed by armed men suspected to be kidnappers while responding to a distress call around a dredging site where expatriate workers were engaged in operations,” the statement said.

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The Army spokesperson disclosed that the fleeing criminals abducted five persons and used them as human shields while escaping from security forces pursuing them.

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“The remaining assailants reportedly abandoned their mission and withdrew through surrounding forest terrain towards the Ogun River, taking five hostages as human shields to evade pursuit by a Quick Response Force deployed as reinforcement,” Akari stated.

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

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One of the victims who managed to escape reportedly informed security operatives that the attackers also took away the body of their slain colleague.

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The incident also claimed the life of a soldier, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot wounds during the operation.

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“Regrettably, a soldier lost his life during the encounter, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot injuries,” the army spokesman said.

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He added that the remains of the deceased soldier and the four slain hostages had been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Sagamu, while the injured security personnel were receiving treatment.

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Following the incident, security agencies have intensified patrols and surveillance operations across the area to restore normalcy and prevent further attacks.

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“The Quick Response Force and other security agencies have intensified patrols and surveillance in the area to restore calm and prevent further security breaches,” Akari added.

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The authorities have not disclosed the identities of the victims, while efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing.

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