Residents Flee Ogun Communities After Deadly Foiled Abduction Leaves Six Dead

Panic has gripped Fowowawo, Ajerogun and Magbon-Etido communities in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State as residents continue to flee their homes following a failed abduction attempt that left at least six people dead.

The incident occurred after suspected kidnappers invaded a dredging site in the area in the early hours of Monday, targeting a Chinese national but were repelled by security operatives.

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that the attack resulted in the deaths of a soldier, a local hunter and four other persons, while one of the suspected abductors was also killed during a gun duel.

When our correspondents visited the affected communities on Wednesday, many homes and shops were seen locked up, with commercial and social activities significantly reduced in what was once a bustling environment.

Residents who remained expressed fear of a possible repeat attack, while others said they had already relocated their families for safety.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that about five armed men carried out the operation and initially engaged workers at the dredging site before encountering resistance from security personnel stationed there.

A local resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers opened fire after realizing they had been discovered, leading to a chaotic exchange that left several dead and others injured.

“We thought it was a fight among workers until we got there and realised they were kidnappers. We ran into an ambush,” the resident said, adding that security response was delayed.

Community leaders also confirmed that the attackers killed a soldier, injured another and abducted four persons, including workers and a trader, before fleeing the scene.

The Baale of Ajerogun Community, Nurudeen Salisu, said the dredging site had previously experienced similar kidnapping incidents, noting that ransom had been paid in an earlier attack.

He added that residents had repeatedly called for stronger security presence due to the strategic vulnerability of the area and poor road access, which he said hampered rapid response operations.

Another resident said fear of further attacks had forced many families to abandon their homes, while local hunters and security personnel continued bush combing operations to track the fleeing suspects.

The police have assured residents that the situation is under control and confirmed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the attackers.

Authorities also clarified that the incident is not linked to wider banditry activities, urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.