A minister's empty boast

• Published date: 13 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Badly, the latest train-related attack in Edo State further exposed the Federal Government's incapacity. Yet-to-be-identified assailants kidnapped innocent people at the Tom Ikimi train station in the Igueben Local Government Area of the state on January 7.

The Edo State Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, told journalists in an update: 'They must have taken 20, seven were rescued and the balance is 13 with them. The operation is still ongoing and we are confident that very soon, the ordeal of these innocent citizens will come to an end.'

It is significant that he was reported saying it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure security. This implies that the federal authorities are to blame for insecurity. But sub-national governments are also stakeholders and should not exclude themselves from security issues.

The terrorist train attack on the Abuja-Kaduna route in March 2022 is still fresh in mind. The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) had said there were 362 people on board the train when it was attacked. Tragically, eight people were killed, 41 injured and 62 kidnapped.

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The hostages were released in batches, some of them reported to have paid ransom. The last batch of 23 captives gained freedom in October, 2022, after a nightmarish six months, following an operation said to have involved the Nigerian military and 'all sister security...