A soldier was killed and another injured on Monday after suspected kidnappers launched an attack in the Magbon-Etido area of Mowe, located in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the day, reportedly happened during an attempted abduction of a resident in the community.
Sources said the gunmen stormed the area in a coordinated operation and attempted to kidnap a man. Security personnel attached to the area moved in to stop the attack, leading to a gun battle between the soldiers and the assailants.
During the exchange of gunfire, one soldier was fatally shot while another sustained injuries and was rushed for medical treatment.
Videos circulating on social media showed a vehicle carrying what appeared to be the body of the slain soldier, surrounded by concerned residents and security operatives.
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Some initial reports claimed that bandits were responsible for the attack. However, community leaders and security sources dismissed the claims, insisting that the incident was a kidnapping operation and not an invasion by bandits.
A community source explained that the attackers specifically targeted a local sand miner popularly known as "Kapo" and encountered resistance from security personnel protecting him.
The Chairman of the Ajumoni Community Development Council, Jimoh Owolabi, also denied reports of bandit activity in the area. He stated that the attackers were kidnappers and that security agencies had already been deployed to restore calm.
According to him, one security operative attached to the victim was killed during the attack, while another suffered injuries.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola.
The police said a soldier lost his life in the attack while another was receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the confrontation.
The command added that joint security operations involving the police and military had been launched to track down the attackers and bring them to justice.
Authorities further assured residents that the situation was under control, noting that security presence had been strengthened across the affected area.
The police also stressed that preliminary investigations did not suggest any link between the attack and banditry activities in Ogun State, describing it instead as a criminal kidnapping attempt.
