January 09, (THEWILL) – Six of the 31 travellers abducted by gunmen, who attacked a Train station in Edo state, on Saturday, have been rescued.
Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, who made the disclosure at a press briefing in Benin, on Monday, said two suspects on the wanted list of the police had been arrested.
THEWILL earlier reported that 31 travellers waiting to board a train from Igueben to Warri in Delta State, were abducted on Saturday evening, when gunmen attacked the Tom Ikimi train station at Igueben, in the Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident on Saturday night, said suspected herdsmen, armed with AK-47 rifles, invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before herding the intending travellers into the bush
In an update on the incident, Nehikhare said: “Six people have been rescued in the last 24 hours. Those who were rescued include a 65-year-old man; a nursing mother and her baby; a six-year-old girl and two siblings – a boy and a girl aged between two and five years old.
“These six persons have been rescued and our security forces have continued with the bush combing to arrest other fleeing members of the kidnap gang.
“I want to reassure Edo people that the government is taking this matter seriously, ensuring that the state is safe for Edo people.
“We are asking for information that will lead to the arrest of other kidnappers.
“Two other suspects have been arrested for their involvement in the kidnapping in Edo Central as they were formerly declared wanted by the police.
“They are in custody helping the police with relevant information that will lead to the arrest of other members of the gang.
“This is a sensitive matter and we need to keep the press and the people abreast of the current situation. I get clearance from security agencies before briefing the press on this issue so as not to compromise their investigation.
“I’m also appealing to Edo people to help with information that will unravel this kidnap incident.
“We have cordoned off a huge part of the forest as no one knows the forest better than our hunters and security agencies. The bush combing operation is ongoing and I am confident that very soon all those kidnapped will be rescued.”
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