Edo Train Abduction: One Suspect Arrested as a Victim Escaped
… Government Condemns Attack
ZAINAB JUNAID
Just as the police command in Edo State on Sunday afternoon confirmed the arrest of one of the suspected herdsmen that attacked and kidnapped scores of passengers waiting to board a train to Warri, Delta State on Saturday evening, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in an interview with Channels TV on Sunday debunked reports of the suspension of train services on the Itakpe-Warri axis following an attack by gunmen on Ekehen Train Station in the Igbuebem Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State.
The reports that NRC had suspended operations in the affected state station went viral on social media few hours after the incident happened in Edo State but the Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhiria, told Channels Television via telephone that the train services have not been suspended, contrary to reports making the rounds.
He confirmed that there was an attack which the police and the NRC are currently looking into, but said the incident has not disrupted operations at the station.
“As I speak to you now, a train is running,” Okhiria said, adding that the railway corporation is putting in place measures to ensure the safety of passengers.
While speaking on the train station attack, spokesperson for the State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor disclosed that the attack which took place on Saturday evening, left many injured but a suspect has been arrested.
According to the Police, the abductors, armed with AK-47 rifles, invaded the train station and shot indiscriminately into the air before abducting scores of intending travellers into the bush.
“Among those kidnapped by the herdsmen were the train station manager, Godwin Okpe, Head of Security, identified simply as Ikhayere, an Igueben community resident, Victor Osarobho and the station ticket clerk, also identified as Akhere,” he said.
Also, at the scene of the incident, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, described the incident as a terrifying situation for the state government.
Nehikhare, noted that immediately the incident occurred, a combined team of military, police, vigilante, and local hunters swung into action and are on the heels of the suspected kidnappers with a view to rescuing the victims, this, in the process led to the arrest of one of the Kidnappers.
At the moment, security personnel made up of the military and the police as well as men of the vigilante network and hunters are intensifying search and rescue operations in reasonable radius to rescue the kidnap victims.
” As at 3 pm on Sunday, one suspect has been captured and is helping police with their investigation; One victim out of the victims kidnapped escaped from the hands of the gunmen. We are confident that the other victims will be rescued in the coming hours.” He said.
The Federal Government on its part has condemned the attack describing it as a despicable and utterly barbaric kidnapping of passengers at Tom Ikimi Train Station Igueben Edo State.
In a release by the transportation ministry, the government reassured that the security agencies are making efforts to rescue the kidnapped Train passengers.
“The Nigerian Police is on the trail of the criminals and have mobilised with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.
“The Government is saddened by this unpleasant development and assures of its prompt response to the ugly situation” the statement reads.
