Residents of Fowowawo, Ajerogun and Magbon-Etido communities in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have reportedly fled their homes following a failed kidnap attempt that resulted in the deaths of at least six people.
The incident, which occurred on Monday at a dredging site in the area, has left the communities gripped by fear, with many residents abandoning their homes over concerns of possible fresh attacks.
A visit to the affected communities on Wednesday showed that several houses and shops were locked, while commercial and social activities had significantly declined.
The Ogun State Police Command had earlier confirmed that suspected kidnappers invaded the dredging site in an attempt to abduct a Chinese national. The operation, however, failed after security operatives engaged the attackers.
According to the police, the attack led to the deaths of a soldier, a local hunter and four other persons. The command also disclosed that one of the suspected kidnappers was killed during a gun battle with security operatives.
Residents who remained in the communities expressed fears that the attackers could return, citing a similar kidnapping incident that occurred about three years ago.
One resident, who claimed to be among the local hunters that responded to the attack, said the gunmen ambushed community security volunteers who initially believed they were responding to a fight among workers at the dredging site.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the attackers opened fire after local hunters attempted to identify their positions, resulting in casualties and forcing others to flee.
He lamented the delayed arrival of security reinforcements and noted that kidnappers had previously used nearby waterways as escape routes during earlier attacks.
The Baale of Ajerogun Community, Nurudeen Salisu, said the attackers appeared to be targeting a Chinese national working at the dredging site.
He explained that the presence of soldiers providing security at the facility may have triggered the violent confrontation.
“It was a Chinese man who joined them at the dredging site about a year ago who was the target of the kidnappers. When they saw the soldiers, that was why they attacked,” he said.
Salisu alleged that the gunmen killed a soldier, injured another and abducted four persons before fleeing.
According to him, local security volunteers from neighbouring communities attempted to intercept the kidnappers, leading to another deadly confrontation that claimed additional lives.
He further disclosed that one of the abducted victims later escaped and identified the attackers as suspected Fulani gunmen.
The community leader commended the efforts of security agencies but expressed concern over inadequate equipment and poor road infrastructure, which he said hampered emergency response.
“The police, army and other security agencies have tried their best. But the first set of policemen that arrived were not adequately armed, and the bad road also delayed response,” he said.
Another resident and Chairman of the Agbekoya group in Fowowawo Community, Musbau Adenekan, confirmed that many residents had relocated their families due to fear and uncertainty.
“This community is always full of activities from traders and dredgers, but since the incident happened, there has been panic, and some people have already left their homes,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has assured residents that the incident is not linked to banditry and reiterated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Security agencies have continued combing nearby forests and waterways as investigations into the attack progress.
