Edo train attack: Police launch manhunt for kidnappers, 5 victims rescued

The Police has so far rescued five out of the kidnapped victims including a retired police officer who were allegedly abducted on Saturday at the Igueben train station, Edo state. Recall that unspecified numbers of passengers who were waiting to board the train at the Igueben station were kidnapped by gunmen at 4pm on Saturday. […]

The Police has so far rescued five out of the kidnapped victims including a retired police officer who were allegedly abducted on Saturday at the Igueben train station, Edo state.

Recall that unspecified numbers of passengers who were waiting to board the train at the Igueben station were kidnapped by gunmen at 4pm on Saturday.

It was gathered that the gunmen armed with AK 47 stormed the train station, shot sporadically and abducted unspecified numbers of passengers into the bush.

However, Daily Trust learnt that some of the victims were rescued by a combined team of security personnel while combing the bush for the possible arrest of the perpetrators. The abducted persons were rescued unhurt.

Daily Trust further gathered that the five rescued victims were two adults and three minors. Moreso, a source also told our reporter that some of the suspected kidnappers have been arrested.

The Edo State Command Spokesperson, SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, said the rescue was made possible in collaboration with other security agents including the local vigilante and hunters.

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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.”

Although the PPRO didn’t confirm the arrest of any suspect, however, he said that the police and other security teams are still combing the forest.

Meanwhile, the Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, said  governor Godwin Obaseki, has ordered him to relocate to Iguben  to ensure the release of the victims.

Shaibu who spoke at Auchi during the Auchi Day celebration said the perpetrators must been arrested.

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 also said they are working on the release of the victims and the arrest of the  perpetrators.

Moreso, the Edo State Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare has said that security operatives have arrested one of the suspected kidnappers involved in the kidnapping of about 32 passengers at the Igueben train station, in Igueben Local Government Area of the State.

Nehikhare who disclosed this to journalists, said after 32 persons were kidnapped, the Police, vigilante, and local hunters swung into action, combing the bushes around the vicinity.

He said one of the kidnapped victims was able 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.