Security spreads net to rescue 31 train travellers in Edo

• Published date: 09 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Thirty one persons abducted by gunmen at Tom Ikimi Train Station in Igueben, Edo State at the weekend are yet to be located.

They include the station's head of security, manager and a ticket clerk.

As of last night, 14 of the victims were still with the abductors.

Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, who confirmed yesterday that the whereabouts of the victims were still unknown, revealed that the attackers freed two children but went away with their mother.

Nehikhare added that one of the abducted passengers escaped while the police arrested one of the kidnappers.

He said, 'The kidnap is the most difficult occurrence in the state currently. Few armed men who came with vehicles at about 4pm on Saturday. started shooting sporadically at the Igueben train station.

'Kidnapping 32 while many others were injured. They came with cars but took their victims into the bush on foot.

'The police in collaboration with the vigilantees and hunters started combing the bush almost immediately.

'One suspect has been arrested and he is helping the police in their investigation.'

The commissioner, who added that the state's Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, visited the scene yesterday morning, said: 'We sympathise with the families of the victims and hope that this is the last we will have such daring people invading government infrastructure.'

Igueben Onogie (monarch) of the community, Ehizojie Eluojierior I, described the incident as 'shocking.'

Eluojierior said: 'The police, vigilance members and hunters are working together on the issue. They combed the bush till midnight on Saturday and resumed yesterday morning.

'The attack took everyone by surprise. It happened at 4 pm., when the train was being expected.'

A resident of Igueben, Odia Benson called for tight security around the station which he said . is ' in the forest.'

'There is no security, no policemen, no vigilance members. The NRC (Nigerian Railway Corporation) staff and passengers are at the mercy of God,' said Benson.

He also revealed that 'the kidnappers dropped off two children at an abandoned petrol station and called the family of their mother to go and pick them.

According to him ,the passenger who escaped with her baby found her way safely to Opoji, in Esan Central Local Government Area..'

NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, said the attack would not affect the Itapkpe-Warri train service.

Okhiria told reporters that additional security measures would be deployed.

The NRC had in a...