The Edo Commissioner of Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare on Sunday confirmed that 31 intending passengers were kidnapped at Igueben train station in Edo on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the passengers were said to be waiting for a 4 p.m. train from Igueben to Warri when the kidnappers struck, shooting sporadically, abducting passengers and leaving many injured.
Nehikhare told newsmen in Benin that one abducted passenger escaped from the kidnappers, while the police had arrested one of the suspects.
He said, “The kidnap is the most difficult occurrence in the state currently. Few armed men who came with vehicles at about 4 p.m. 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 vigilante and hunters started combing the bush almost immediately.
“One suspect has been arrested and he is helping the police in their investigation.
“The Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, visited the scene of the crime this morning to have an on the spot assessment of what has happened.
“We are pleased to say that one suspect has been arrested. We congratulate the police and the Edo security network for the swiftness which they attended to the security breech,” Nehikhare said.
According to him, “we sympathise with the families of the victims and hope that this is the last we will have such daring people invading government infrastructure”.
Nehikhare also disclosed that the state government was up-to-date with the payment of pension to retired workers and was currently expending one-third of its personnel cost on pension payments.
“We make available N100 million monthly to pay gratuity to those retirees with serious medical challenges. We paid over N1 billion last year and we have also budgeted another N1 billion for 2023.
“We are constrained to believe that the protests in the past over pension were politically instigated,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Federal government has confirmed the kidnap of passengers at Tom Ikimi Train Station, Igueben, Edo State.
Though no figures were given, a statement signed by Director , Press & Public Relations, Ministry of Transportion Henshaw Ogubike, said the federal government condemned the act.
He also assured the general public that efforts were being made to rescue the kidnapped train passengers
The statement reads: “The Federal government condemns the despicable and utterly barbaric kidnapping of passengers at Tom Ikimi Train Station Igueben Edo State.
“The Public is hereby reassured that the security Agencies are making efforts to rescue the kidnapped Train passengers.
“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.
He assured that “further details will be communicated later”.
-NAN
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