The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed claims that bandits invaded parts of Mowe in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, insisting that a deadly attack which claimed the life of a soldier was an isolated criminal operation and not evidence of an emerging banditry threat in the state.
The clarification followed widespread panic triggered by reports and viral videos alleging that armed bandits had stormed the Magbon-Etido area of Mowe, killing security personnel and unleashing terror on residents.
According to security sources and eyewitness accounts, heavily armed gunmen struck in the early hours of Monday during what authorities believe was an attempted kidnapping operation targeting a prominent resident linked to a private dredging site in the community. The attackers reportedly opened fire when confronted by security personnel attached to the area.
In the ensuing exchange, a soldier on security duty was killed while another sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed for medical treatment. Videos circulating online showed the blood-soaked body of a military officer being evacuated from the scene, sparking fears that armed groups had established a foothold in the area.
However, the Ogun State Police Command moved swiftly to counter reports describing the incident as a bandit invasion.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the command acknowledged the death of the soldier but stressed that preliminary investigations did not indicate any connection to organized banditry activities within Ogun State.
“Regrettably, a soldier on security duty lost his life during the incident, while another sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment,” the statement said. “Preliminary findings do not indicate any connection between the incident and banditry activities in Ogun State. Investigations and tactical operations remain ongoing.”
Community leaders also challenged claims of a bandit occupation of the area, describing the incident as a targeted kidnapping attempt rather than an organized assault by a bandit network. They urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information capable of heightening tension and fear.
Following the attack, police and military personnel launched coordinated operations across the area to track down the assailants. Security presence has since been reinforced around Mowe and adjoining communities as authorities intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible.
The incident nevertheless highlights growing concerns over violent criminal activities in parts of southwestern Nigeria, where kidnapping-for-ransom has increasingly become a major security challenge. While authorities insist the latest attack does not amount to banditry, the killing of a soldier in a community once considered relatively secure has renewed public anxiety over the evolving nature of armed criminal operations.
As investigations continue, residents are being urged to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and report suspicious movements, while authorities seek answers to an attack that has once again exposed the deadly risks faced by security personnel on the front lines.