Some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Monday killed a soldier and injured another while attempting to kidnap a man in the Magbon-Etido area of Mowe in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The PUNCH gathered from multiple sources that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday.
A viral video sighted by our correspondent showed a vehicle conveying what appeared to be the corpse of a military personnel soaked in blood, with about four other people inside the vehicle.
A message accompanying the video read that “bandits are now in Magbon around Mowe, they have killed two soldiers,” while a young man in the video was also heard saying in Yoruba, “Won ti pa soja,” which literally means, “They have killed a soldier.”
Speaking with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity due to the nature of the incident, a community source told our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Monday that the gunmen had stormed the area in a commando-style operation and attempted to kidnap a man, prompting an intervention by some soldiers.
The source noted that the attackers opened fire on the soldiers, leading to the death of one of the officers, while another sustained injuries.
“I was not around when it happened. What I gathered was that the gunmen wanted to kidnap a man in the area and the soldiers intervened.
“It was during the shoot-out between the soldiers and the kidnappers that one of the soldiers was shot dead while another sustained injuries.”
Another source within the area narrated that the soldiers were attempting to foil a kidnapping attempt when they were shot by the suspects.
“They wanted to kidnap a man and the soldiers tried to intervene but were shot by the kidnappers. One of the soldiers was killed and another was injured,” the source said.
Similarly, a security source who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity confirmed the killing of the soldier but declined to provide further details on the incident.
The security source, however, clarified that the attackers were not bandits, as speculated by residents and social media users.
“Yes, it happened, but it is not a bandit attack. One security personnel was killed while another was injured. The security operatives are dealing with the situation.”
A viral voice note reportedly made by one Jimoh Owolabi, who claimed to be the Chairman of the Ajumoni Community Development Council, also stated that the incident was not a bandit attack but a kidnapping incident involving a sand miner popularly known as Kapo.
Owolabi said one of the security personnel attached to the sand miner was killed, while another was injured during the attack.
“My name is Jimoh Owolabi, Chairman, Area CDC, Ajumoni Progressive Area CDC. I heard that there were bandits in Magbon; it is fake news.
“There are no bandits in Magbon. It was kidnappers who came to attack a sand miner who is popularly called Kapo. It was during the attack that a security personnel attached to the man was killed while another was injured.
“We already have all the security agencies, the police, the army, and everyone around our community, so people should stop spreading fake news,” Jimoh narrated in Yoruba.
Our correspondent could not independently verify the identity of Jimoh as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted for a reaction, the spokesperson for the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Alamala, Major Idereghi Samuel, told our correspondent to wait for the official statement of the Army on the incident.
He had, however, yet to send the statement as of 9:50pm when the story was filed for publication.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command, in a statement on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the killing of the soldier.
Babaseyi also clarified that the incident was not connected to banditry but a criminal attack.
The PPRO stated, “Regrettably, a soldier on security duty lost his life during the incident, while another sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
“Following the report, police operatives, in collaboration with the military, swiftly mobilised to the area and commenced coordinated operations to apprehend those responsible.
“Preliminary findings do not indicate any connection between the incident and banditry activities in Ogun State. Investigations and tactical operations remain ongoing.”
He assured residents of the state that the situation was under control while adding that security had been reinforced in the area.
“The command assures residents that the situation is under control, security presence has been reinforced, and there is no cause for alarm,” he added.
