The Army disclosed that the fleeing attackers later killed four of the hostages before escaping through a river channel.
The Nigerian Army has confirmed that a soldier and four hostages were killed during an attempted abduction of Chinese expatriates at a dredging site in Magbon, Mowe, within Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The army said the incident occurred on June 8 when troops of the 35 Artillery Brigade and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, who were on joint patrol, responded to a distress call from the area and came under attack from armed men suspected to be kidnappers.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Major Idereghi Akari, the military said the attackers ambushed the joint security team, leading to a fierce gun battle.
According to the Army, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed during the exchange of gunfire, while the remaining assailants fled through a forest towards the Ogun River, taking five people hostage.
