Gunmen kill soldier, injure another in Ogun

By James Ogunnaike

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed a serving soldier and injured another in the Mowe/Ibafo axis of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, sending panic through the area as residents described it as a surprise assault by armed men.

Although details of the incident were still sketchy at the time of filing this report, a viral video circulating on social media showed the blood-soaked body of a soldier clad in military camouflage being evacuated in a pick-up van. 

Also seen in the vehicle were plain-clothed security operatives, suspected to be police officers, and some civilians.

However, the Army Public Relations Officer of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barracks, Abeokuta, Major Idereghi Samuel, confirmed that an attack involving military personnel had occurred.

Major Samuel said he was yet to receive comprehensive details of the incident but promised to make the information available once it was obtained.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command later confirmed the incident, explaining that the attack occurred at a private dredging site in Magbon Etido, Mowe.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Babaseyi, on Monday night, the police described the incident as “an isolated criminal attack and not a banditry operation.”

The statement read: “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 mobilized to the area and commenced coordinated operations to apprehend those responsible.”

The police spokesperson added that preliminary investigations had not established any link between the attack and banditry activities in Ogun State.

According to him, “Investigations and tactical operations remain ongoing. The Command assures residents that the situation is under control, security presence has been reinforced, and there is no cause for alarm.”

A viral audio message allegedly recorded by the Chairman of Ajumoni Community Development Council (ACDC), Mr Jimoh Owolabi, also dismissed reports that bandits were responsible for the attack.

Owolabi claimed that the attackers were kidnappers who had targeted a prominent sand miner popularly known as “Kapo.”

According to him, the gunmen invaded the area with the intention of abducting the sand miner, but encountered resistance from security personnel attached to him.

“My name is Jimoh Owolabi, Chairman, Ajumoni Progressive Area CDC. I heard that there were bandits in Magbon; that is fake news,” he said in the audio message.

“There were no bandits in Magbon. It was kidnappers who came to attack a sand miner popularly called Kapo. During the attack, one of the security personnel attached to him was killed, while another sustained injuries.”

As of press time, security agencies had intensified efforts to apprehend the perpetrators, while investigations into the incident were ongoing.

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