Panic has swept through several communities in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State following a failed kidnapping operation that left at least six people dead, forcing many residents to abandon their homes.
Residents of Fowowawo, Ajerogun and Magbon-Etido communities have reportedly relocated to safer areas after gunmen launched an attack on a dredging site on Monday in an attempt to abduct a Chinese expatriate.
A visit to the affected communities showed a sharp decline in daily activities, with numerous houses and business premises locked up as fears of another attack continue to spread among residents.
The Ogun State Police Command had earlier confirmed that the incident resulted in the deaths of a soldier, a local hunter and four other persons. Police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, also disclosed that one of the suspected kidnappers was killed during an exchange of gunfire with security operatives.
Residents who remained in the communities expressed concern over their safety, noting that the latest attack revived memories of a similar kidnapping incident that occurred about three years ago, during which victims were released after ransom payments.
The poor condition of the road linking the communities to Ofada, where the nearest police facility is located, was also cited as a major challenge, with residents saying the difficult terrain hampers emergency response efforts.
One resident, who requested anonymity and claimed to have been among the local hunters who responded after hearing gunshots, said the attackers caught them off guard.
According to him, the hunters initially believed there was a dispute among workers at the dredging site and moved in to intervene, only to discover they had walked into an ambush.
He explained that after one of the hunters fired a warning shot to alert his colleagues, the gunmen opened fire on them, forcing many to flee.
“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. There were five.
“The Agbekoya that was among us shot into the air so that we could know where they were, but they responded by firing at us. It was a bullet from their gunfire that hit one guy called Ewe. Everyone began scampering for safety. I escaped through the water.
“When we came out to call for support at about 2pm, the security forces did not arrive until about 6pm. When we got back to the scene, Ewe had already died. A similar kidnapping had occurred about three years ago, and the kidnappers escaped through the river.
“It was because the kidnappers realised that they might not be able to escape because many people were already coming out that they resorted to killing those they killed. One of the women who sold koko (a local meal made from corn pap) was said to be selling to one of the soldiers when they shot the soldier.”
The resident stated that the presence of soldiers guarding the dredging site may have prompted the attackers to open fire after their attempt to abduct the Chinese national encountered resistance.
The Baale of Ajerogun Community, Nurudeen Salisu, said the attack occurred at about 10 a.m. on Monday and threw the community into confusion.
He explained that the gunmen reportedly met armed resistance from soldiers stationed at the dredging site, leading to a violent confrontation.
Salisu said, “An incident like this happened about three years ago when some workers at the dredging site were kidnapped. They were released after a ransom of N5m was paid. Since then, we told the dredgers to engage security operatives, which they did by employing the services of soldiers.
“It was a Chinese man who joined them at the dredging site about a year ago, who was the target of the kidnappers, but I guess when they arrived and saw the soldiers, that was why they killed one of them and broke the leg of the second soldier.
“When we heard that they had taken four people with them after killing the soldier, I called Oke-Oko Community to alert them that the kidnappers might want to pass through the area and that they should be vigilant. The Baale of Oke-Oko sent some men to ambush them, but the kidnappers killed two of the men and killed three out of the four people they took from the dredging site.”
He further revealed that one of the victims who escaped identified the attackers as suspected Fulani gunmen and claimed that one of the kidnappers was wounded by a soldier during the exchange of fire.
“The man who escaped explained that the injured soldier shot one of the kidnappers, and when his colleagues realised that he was weak, they shot him dead themselves.
“The police, army, and other security agencies have tried their best since the incident happened. They combed all the bushes. But the first set of policemen that arrived were not adequately armed, which the government must look into. About eight policemen came with just one gun. Our local hunters were not adequately armed either. The road is also not good, which was the excuse they gave, and it is understandable because the road is bad.
“Most people who lived here have left their homes. Many people have packed up their families and left the community. I am just appealing to them to return because the situation is under control,” the traditional leader added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Agbekoya group in Fowowawo Community, Musbau Adenekan, said the attack had disrupted normal life in the area and created widespread fear among residents.
“This community is always full of activities from traders and dredgers, but since the incident happened on Monday, there has been panic, and some people have already left their homes,” Adenekan added.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has assured residents that the incident is not linked to bandit activities and stated that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
