A soldier was killed and another injured on Monday after armed men believed to be kidnappers launched an attack in the Magbon-Etido area of Mowe, located in Ogun State’s Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.
Sources familiar with the incident said the attack occurred in the early hours of Monday during what appeared to be an attempted kidnapping operation.
Videos circulating online showed a vehicle transporting what appeared to be the blood-soaked body of a military personnel. Several other individuals were also seen inside the vehicle.
Accompanying messages shared alongside the footage claimed that “bandits are now in Magbon around Mowe, they have killed two soldiers.” In one of the videos, a young man speaking in Yoruba could be heard saying, “Won ti pa soja,” meaning, “They have killed a soldier.”
A resident of the community, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, said the attackers stormed the area in a commando-style operation and attempted to abduct a man before soldiers intervened.
According to the source, a gun battle broke out between the soldiers and the assailants, resulting in the death of one soldier and injuries to another.
“I was not around when it happened. What I gathered was that the gunmen wanted to kidnap a man in the area and the soldiers intervened.
“It was during the shoot-out between the soldiers and the kidnappers that one of the soldiers was shot dead while another sustained injuries.”
Another local source provided a similar account, stating that the military personnel were attempting to prevent the abduction when they came under fire.
“They wanted to kidnap a man and the soldiers tried to intervene but were shot by the kidnappers. One of the soldiers was killed and another was injured,” the source said.
A security source also confirmed the death of the soldier but declined to disclose further operational details. The source, however, dismissed reports suggesting the attack was carried out by bandits.
“Yes, it happened, but it is not a bandit attack. One security personnel was killed while another was injured. The security operatives are dealing with the situation.”
Further clarification emerged through a viral voice note attributed to Jimoh Owolabi, who identified himself as Chairman of the Ajumoni Community Development Council. In the recording, Owolabi insisted the incident involved kidnappers targeting a sand miner popularly known as Kapo and not bandits, as widely reported on social media.
According to him, security personnel attached to the sand miner confronted the attackers during the attempted abduction.
“My name is Jimoh Owolabi, Chairman, Area CDC, Ajumoni Progressive Area CDC. I heard that there were bandits in Magbon; it is fake news.
“There are no bandits in Magbon. It was kidnappers who came to attack a sand miner who is popularly called Kapo. It was during the attack that a security personnel attached to the man was killed while another was injured.
“We already have all the security agencies, the police, the army, and everyone around our community, so people should stop spreading fake news,” Jimoh narrated in Yoruba.
The identity of Owolabi could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Major Idereghi Samuel Alamala, said an official statement from the Army would be issued on the matter. However, no statement had been released as of 9:50 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident and reiterated that it was a criminal attack rather than an act of banditry.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, the command confirmed the casualty and the ongoing security response.
“Regrettably, a soldier on security duty lost his life during the incident, while another sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
“Following the report, police operatives, in collaboration with the military, swiftly mobilised to the area and commenced coordinated operations to apprehend those responsible.
“Preliminary findings do not indicate any connection between the incident and banditry activities in Ogun State. Investigations and tactical operations remain ongoing.”
The police assured residents that the security situation remained under control and that additional personnel had been deployed to the area.
“The command assures residents that the situation is under control, security presence has been reinforced, and there is no cause for alarm,” he added.
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