Residents Flee Ogun Communities After Six K*lled In Failed Kidnap Attempt

Residents Flee Ogun Communities After Six Killed In Failed Kidnap Attempt
Residents fled communities fearing another attack by gunmen.
Police launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

Residents of Fowowawo, Ajerogun and Magbon-Etido communities in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have fled their homes following a failed kidnap attempt that left at least six people dead.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that a visit to the affected communities on Wednesday showed that many houses and shops had been locked up, while commercial and social activities were significantly reduced as fear gripped residents.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Monday when suspected kidnappers stormed a dredging site in an attempt to abduct a Chinese national. The operation, however, failed after security operatives and local hunters confronted the attackers.

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the incident claimed the lives of a soldier, a local hunter and four other persons. Police also disclosed that one of the suspected kidnappers was killed during an exchange of gunfire with security operatives.

Residents who spoke with journalists said fears of another attack have forced many families to abandon their homes.

One resident, who claimed to be among the local hunters who responded after hearing gunshots, said the attackers ambushed those who rushed to the scene.

“We were informed that some boys were fighting, and our Baale called us to go there. When we got there, we were in the midst of the kidnappers, but we didn’t know they were kidnappers,” he said.

The Baale of Ajerogun Community, Nurudeen Salisu, said the gunmen targeted a Chinese worker at the dredging site but opened fire after encountering soldiers providing security at the facility.

According to him, one soldier was killed, another injured and four persons abducted during the attack. He added that three of the abducted victims were later killed by the gunmen.

Salisu recalled a similar incident in the area about three years ago when workers were kidnapped and released after a ransom was paid.

He also blamed the poor state of roads linking the communities to nearby security posts for delaying emergency response efforts.

Another resident, Musbau Adenekan, said the attack had thrown the communities into panic, forcing many residents to relocate temporarily.

Residents Flee Ogun Communities After Six Killed In Failed Kidnap Attempt Residents fled communities fearing another attack by gunmen. — Residents Flee Ogun Communities After Six Killed In Failed Kidnap Attempt

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command assured residents that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, adding that the incident was not related to banditry.