Mo fewer than four hostages and a soldier were killed during an attack by suspected kidnappers on a dredging site operated by Chinese expatriates in Magbon community, Mowe area of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when armed men reportedly stormed the facility, popularly known as Capo, triggering a gun battle with security personnel deployed to protect the workers.
Military authorities confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Ala, Major Idereghi Akari.
One of the abducted victims reportedly managed to escape and narrated how the attackers fled with the body of their slain accomplice.
The military further confirmed that a soldier lost his life during the operation, while another soldier and two police officers sustained gunshot wounds.
The remains of the deceased soldier and the four slain hostages have been deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Sagamu, while the injured security personnel are receiving treatment.
A local hunter who joined security operatives in the search operation was also reportedly killed during an encounter with the fleeing gunmen.
Major Akari said security agencies had intensified surveillance and patrol operations across the area to track down the suspects and prevent further attacks.
He assured residents that ongoing operations in the Mowe axis would continue until the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.
The Army also reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information that could aid ongoing inveq
Akari said one of the attackers was killed during a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing the remaining suspects to retreat into the surrounding forest towards the Ogun River.
The fleeing gunmen were said to have taken five people hostage and used them as human shields to evade security forces pursuing them.
However, the Army disclosed that four of the captives were later killed by the kidnappers before they escaped through a river route in a boat