Residents of Fowowawo, Ajerogun and Magbon-Etido communities in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have reportedly abandoned their homes following a botched kidnap operation that claimed six lives earlier this week.
A visit to the affected communities on Wednesday revealed deserted homes, locked-up shops and a sharp decline in commercial activities, as fear continued to grip residents after the deadly attack.
The incident occurred on Monday when armed men stormed a dredging site in an attempt to abduct a Chinese expatriate.
The operation, however, failed after security operatives engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that a soldier, a local hunter and four other persons were killed during the attack.
The police also disclosed that one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised during an exchange of gunfire with security personnel.
Residents who remained in the communities expressed fears of a possible recurrence, recalling a similar abduction incident that occurred about three years ago in the area.
The situation has been worsened by the poor state of the road linking the communities to Ofada, where the nearest police post is located, making access difficult for security operatives and residents alike.
One resident, who requested anonymity and said he was among the local hunters who responded after hearing gunshots, alleged that about five armed men carried out the attack.
According to him, local hunters initially believed there was a dispute among workers at the dredging site and moved to intervene, only to discover they had walked into an ambush.
He explained that one of the hunters fired a warning shot into the air to alert his colleagues after sensing danger, but the gunmen responded with heavy gunfire.
“We were told some people were fighting and were asked to go there. Unknown to us, we had entered the middle of the kidnappers.
One of our men fired into the air to alert others, and the attackers immediately opened fire.
One of our members was hit while the rest of us fled. I escaped through the water,” he said.
The resident further alleged that security personnel arrived several hours after distress calls were made, by which time one of the victims had already died.
He added that the attackers appeared determined to avoid capture and resorted to killing some of their victims when they realised residents were mobilising against them.
The Baale of Ajerogun Community, Nurudeen Salisu, said the community was thrown into confusion when news broke that gunmen had attacked the dredging site.
According to him, the attackers encountered resistance from soldiers stationed at the site and subsequently killed one soldier, injured another and abducted four persons, including workers and a trader.
Salisu recalled that workers at the same dredging site were kidnapped about three years ago and were only released after a ransom was paid.
He said the community had since advised the company to improve security around the facility, leading to the deployment of soldiers.
The traditional ruler stated that the abductors were believed to have targeted the Chinese expatriate working at the site but altered their plans after meeting armed resistance.
He further disclosed that local vigilantes in a neighbouring community attempted to intercept the attackers as they fled but suffered casualties during the encounter.
“One of the victims who escaped identified the attackers as suspected Fulani gunmen.
He also said an injured soldier managed to shoot one of the kidnappers before the suspect was allegedly killed by his own gang members,” Salisu said.
While commending security agencies for their response after the attack, the community leader called for improved equipment for police officers and local security groups, as well as urgent rehabilitation of access roads in the area.
He noted that many residents had relocated with their families since the incident, although efforts were ongoing to reassure them that security had been strengthened.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Agbekoya group in Fowowawo Community, Musbau Adenekan, said the attack had created widespread panic.
He noted that the once-busy communities had become unusually quiet, with many residents leaving due to uncertainty over their safety.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has assured residents that the incident was an isolated criminal attack and not an indication of organised banditry in the state.
The command added that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.