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 vigilantes 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 sympathies 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 public announcement posted on the passengers’ WhatsApp Group, said: ” This is to inform the general public and most especially our esteemed passengers, that Ekehen Station would be closed down till further notice due to security issues.
“Recall that it was earlier reported that the Edo State Police command said 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 after an attack by some suspected herdsmen.”
The corporation appealed to passengers for understanding as it assured of the readiness of security agencies to tackle the security challenges.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has condemned the kidnap of the passengers as “despicable and utterly barbaric.”
This is as it reassured members of the public that efforts were ongoing by security agencies to rescue the victims.
It said: “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 on its prompt response to the ugly situation.”
The Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has however, slammed Federal Government approach to fighting insecurity.
He described the government approach to insecurity as “lethargic and cosmetic” and accused it of toying with the lives of Nigerians.
Okowa, who is the governor of Delta State, described the attack on the passengers ”very sad and unfortunate.”
“As a country we must be deeply concerned about the activities of armed groups and non-state actors trying to destabilise our nation.
“With the general elections a few weeks away, this dastardly act is not just worrisome but condemnable, and we urge security agencies to quickly track and apprehend the gunmen and rescue the victims.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I sympathise with the authorities of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and families of the kidnapped intending passengers at the train station.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this difficult time and we pray for the early return of the victims to reunite with their families,” he said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika
