FIVE of the persons who were abducted, including a retired police officer, have so far been freed by the police. They were reportedly taken yesterday at the Igueben train station in Edo state.
Recall that yesterday around 4pm, armed men abducted an unknown number of passengers who were waiting to board the train at the Igueben station.
According to reports, gunmen with AK-47s, rushed the train station, opened fire randomly, and kidnapped an unknown number of people into the nearby bush.
However, information gathered reveals that some of the victims were saved by a joint security team while they searched the bush for potential suspects. The kidnapped individuals were discovered unharmed.
Reports reveal that the victims who were saved included two adults and three children. Additionally, a source informed newsmen that some of the alleged kidnappers had been detained.
According to SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, the spokesperson for the Edo State Command, the rescue was made possible, in cooperation with other security personnel, including local hunters and vigilantes.
He said, “Though the number of the kidnapped victims have not been ascertained at the moment but the command has recorded some achievements. Among the rescued victims by the security agents was a retired police officer; a lady with a one year old child; a boy and a girl of three and six years old respectively, but the whereabout of their parents is unknown.
“The police with other security agencies; the Edo State Security Network, vigilante and hunters are still combing the bush to rescue other victims unhurt and further arrest the perpetrators.”
According to the PPRO, who did not confirm the arrest of any suspects, the police and other security teams are currently searching the forest.
The deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, revealed that governor Godwin Obaseki, had directed him to move to Iguben in order to ensure the victims’ release.
Speaking at Auchi at the celebration of Auchi Day, Shaibu urged the arrest of the perpetrators.
He said, “I have relocated to the area, the DSS, Police and Army have also relocated to the area. I came from there and I will be going there from here.
The deputy governor added that efforts are being made to apprehend the perpetrators and free the victims.
Additionally, the Igueben Local Government Area of the State’s Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, reported that security personnel had detained one of the alleged kidnappers who was connected to the abduction of about 32 passengers at the Igueben train station.
Nehikhare, who revealed this to the media, stated that when 32 people were abducted, the police, vigilantes, and local hunters sprang into action and began searching the nearby bushes.
One of the abducted individuals, he stated, managed to escape.
“The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has visited the scene of the attack for an on-the-spot assessment and was told that one of the suspects was arrested and he has been helping the police with investigation to apprehend the other fleeing members of the kidnapping gang.
“We congratulate the Police and other security agencies for their swiftness in attending to the security brief. We appreciate the local hunters and members of the Edo State Security Network as their collaboration assisted in this operation. This synergy led to the success recorded in a very short time.
“We hope this is the last time we will have such an attack on government infrastructure, especially train stations here in Edo State. Our security network was swift to react to the incident and we condolence the families of victims. We will give necessary support to the security agencies, vigilantes and local hunters who are on the trail of these kidnappers,” he said.
