Panic gripped residents of the Magbon-Etido area in Mowe, Ogun State, on Monday after suspected kidnappers killed a soldier and injured another during a failed abduction attempt.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of the day in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, triggered confusion in the community, with initial reports on social media alleging that bandits had invaded the area.
A viral video circulating online showed a blood-soaked military officer believed to have died in the attack being transported in a vehicle alongside several other occupants.
In the footage, a voice in Yoruba lamented the killing of a soldier, while accompanying messages falsely claimed that bandits had stormed the community and killed two military personnel.
However, multiple sources familiar with the incident clarified that the attackers were kidnappers who had attempted to abduct a resident identified as a sand miner popularly known as “Kapo”.
According to community sources, soldiers attached to security operations in the area intervened when the gunmen launched the kidnapping attempt, leading to a gun battle.
One resident, who requested anonymity because of security concerns, said the kidnappers arrived in a coordinated operation before encountering resistance from the soldiers.
“The gunmen wanted to kidnap a man in the area, and the soldiers intervened. During the exchange of gunfire, one soldier was killed while another was injured,” the source said.
Another resident also confirmed that the military officers were trying to stop the abduction when the attackers opened fire on them.
The incident sparked widespread concern among residents, especially after rumours circulated online suggesting that armed bandits had invaded the area. But security officials and community leaders quickly dismissed the claims.
A security source confirmed the death of one military operative but insisted the attack was unrelated to banditry activities.
“Yes, a security operative was killed and another injured, but it was not a bandit attack. Security agencies are already handling the situation,” the source stated.
A voice note attributed to Jimoh Owolabi, who identified himself as Chairman of the Ajumoni Progressive Area Community Development Council, also sought to calm residents and correct what he described as misinformation.
According to Owolabi, the attackers specifically targeted the sand miner known locally as Kapo, while security personnel attached to him confronted the kidnappers.
“There are no bandits in Magbon. It was kidnappers who attacked a sand miner popularly called Kapo. During the attack, one security operative was killed and another injured,” he said in the voice message delivered in Yoruba.
He further assured residents that security operatives, including the police and the military, had already taken control of the area and urged members of the public to stop spreading false information that could cause panic.
Authorities later confirmed the incident.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, CSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said one soldier died during the attack while another was receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the operation.
Babaseyi explained that security operatives from the police and military had launched joint operations to track down the perpetrators.
“Following the report, police operatives in collaboration with the military swiftly mobilised to the area and commenced coordinated operations to apprehend those responsible,” he stated.
The police spokesman also reiterated that preliminary investigations showed no evidence linking the attack to banditry.
“Preliminary findings do not indicate any connection between the incident and banditry activities in Ogun State. Investigations and tactical operations remain ongoing,” he added.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Major Idereghi Samuel Alamala, said the Army would issue an official statement on the incident later.
Security presence has since been reinforced across the community as authorities intensify efforts to apprehend the attackers and reassure residents.
