The Edo State Police Command has confirmed a terrorists attack in Edo State stating that 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.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRP), Chidi Nwabuzor said that the abductors, armed with AK 47, invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before abducting scores of intending travellers into the bush. Many of the travellers were also reportedly injured.
According to the statement, the abductors, armed with AK 47, invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before abducting scores of intending travellers into the bush and many of the passengers sustained bullet wounds.
The statement read, “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.”
On Sunday, the Nigeria Railway Corporation stated that Ekehen Station in Edo State would be closed till further notice.
The organisation claimed that as security threats increased, a decision had to be made.
The event happened just over a year after bandits attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022, killing roughly 14 people and kidnapping 65 more.
A public announcement by the NRC posted on the passengers’ WhatsApp Group obtained by our correspondent said the closure was “till further notice.”
The statement reads, “Public Announcement: This is to inform our general public and most especially our esteemed passengers, that Ekehen Station has been temporarily closed due to security issues, till further notice.”
Another notice reads, “Due to the incident at Ekehen station on Saturday, WITS 01/ 02 will no longer stop at Ekehen Station. Please advise our customers.
It will be recalled that on March 28, 2022, terrorists attacked a Kaduna-bound train from Abuja, at a place called Katari in Kaduna State.
In the attack 14 persons were killed and 63 officially declared abducted.
Information revealed that over N6 billion may have been paid to the terrorists to release their captives free.
