GUNMEN have kidnapped a large number of passengers from a train station in Igueben local government of Edo state.
The victims were attacked while they were waiting to board a train to Warri in Delta State.
The incident was confirmed by the police public relations officer in Edo, Chidi Nwabuzor who stated that it was unclear if anyone was killed, but added that the travelers actually received bullet wounds.
He revealed that yesterday night the kidnappers equipped with an AK-47, broke into the railway station and began firing randomly into the air before kidnapping a large number of would-be passengers.
“This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that today, 7th of January, 2023 at about 1600hrs, men 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”, he said.
This incident is occurring less than a year after terrorists kidnapped more than 60 persons and murdered a number of train passengers in Kaduna.
As a result of the incident, train service along the rail route between Abuja and Kaduna had to be suspended for more than six months.
