The Edo State Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said on Sunday that security operatives have arrested one of the suspected kidnappers involved in the abduction of 32 passengers at the Igueben train station, in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State.
The commissioner told journalists in Benin City that one of the 32 kidnapped passengers at the train station has escaped from the abductors.
“After 32 persons were kidnapped, the Police, vigilante, and local hunters swung into action, combing the bushes around the vicinity. One of the kidnapped victims was able to escape.”Nehikhare said.
Edo State Police Command on Saturday said scores of passengers waiting to board a train from the Igueben station in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State to Warri in Delta State were kidnapped by suspected herdsmen on Saturday evening.
The Command in a statement noted that many of the travelers were also reportedly injured.
Public Relations Officer of the command, Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident. Said the abductors, suspected herdsmen, armed with AK 47, invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before abducting scores of intending travelers into the bush.
The statement added that many of the passengers sustained bullet wounds, and that operatives were on the trail of the abductors to rescue the kidnaped victims herded into the bush.
The statement read in part, “This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that today, 7th of January, 2023 at about 1600hrs, unspecified number of herdsmen armed with AK 47 riffles attacked the train station at Igueben, Edo State and kidnapped unspecified number of passengers who were waiting to board the train to Warri.
“The kidnappers who shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping some passengers left some persons with bullet wounds.
“The Area Commander Irrua, DPO Igueben Division, and men have visited the scene of crime with members of the Edo State Security Network, local vigilantes, and hunters with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.
“Bush combing operations have commenced in order to rescue the victims and arrest the fleeing kidnappers. Further developments will be communicated”.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo has visited the Edo State station of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on a fact finding mission concerning the attack and subsequent abduction.
According to a source very close to the Ministry of Transportation, the Minister intends to evaluate the situation himself more so as much had been expended to secure rail transport across the country.
Recall that about 14 passengers were reported dead while 63 others were officially declared abducted in the March 28, 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
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