Police say the deadly attack in Ogun State was an isolated criminal incident, not a bandit operation.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the death of five people, including a soldier and a local hunter, following an attack at a private dredging site in Magbon Etido, Mowé, located in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
According to police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi, the attackers abducted four people during the incident. Security operatives launched a joint rescue operation with the military and other agencies, leading to the rescue of one victim. The bodies of the remaining three abducted victims were later recovered.
A soldier on security duty was killed during the attack, while another sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. A local hunter assisting security forces during the search operation also lost his life while pursuing the fleeing suspects.
Police said sustained pressure from the joint security team resulted in the neutralisation of one suspect, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the criminal gang.
The command stressed that preliminary investigations show no links between the attack and banditry, despite speculation circulating in some quarters.
Authorities say security has been reinforced in the area and investigations are ongoing to bring the remaining suspects to justice.
