Edo train attack: Rescue of six further casualties

The Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, has said that six more of the 31 victims kidnapped at the Igueben train station have been rescued.

During a press conference in Benin City, the commissioner made this announcement and said that two more individuals who were on the police’s wanted list had been taken into custody while an inquiry was conducted to ascertain their involvement in the kidnapping incident.

He said, “Six people have been rescued in the last 24 hours. A 65-year-old man, a nursing mother and her infant, a six-year-old girl, and two siblings—a boy and a girl—between the ages of two and five—are among those who were saved.

“After the six individuals were set free, our security guards continued combing the forest for more kidnapping gang members who might be hiding. I want to reassure Edo people that the government is taking this matter seriously, ensuring that the state is safe for Edo people.

“We are asking for information that will lead to the arrest of other kidnappers. Two more suspects who were previously listed as wanted by the police have been taken into custody due to their involvement in the kidnapping in Edo Central. While in detention, they are providing the authorities with pertinent information that will enable the arrest of additional gang members.”

Nehikhare added, “We must inform the public and media of the current state of affairs because this is a delicate matter. I get clearance from security agencies before briefing the press on this issue so as not to compromise their investigation. I am also asking the Edo community for assistance in providing details that will help to unravel this kidnapping incident.”

No one knows the forest better than our hunters and security agencies, so we have cordoned off a huge part of it,” the Commissioner said, assuring the victims’ families that the Edo State Government was taking the situation seriously. The bush combing operation is ongoing and I am confident that very soon all those kidnapped will be rescued.”