BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – More than 48 hours after suspected herdsmen abducted 31 persons at the Tom Ikimi Train Station in Igueben, Edo State at the weekend, officials say the whereabouts of some victims are yet to be known.
Among those still in the kidnappers’ den are the Station’s Head of Security, the manager, and one of the ticket clerks, even as the reports indicated that as of Sunday night, the victims were still with the abductors.
An official of Igueben Local Government Area, Best Oseh disclosed that efforts have been stepped up by security agencies to rescue the over 30 persons train passengers who were kidnapped at Ekehen Station while waiting to travel to Warri in Delta State.
Oseh said the rescue teams include the police, vigilantes, and other paramilitary organisations, currently combing the surrounding bush to rescue the kidnapped passengers from their abductors.
He said; “As I speak, people are in the field all over the place, vigilantes, security agencies, and other people, everybody is concerned but we have to be careful with what we divulge so that we won’t jeopardize the processes we are doing.
“As for the category of people kidnapped, some of them are from Igueben while others are passengers from other places and as for the number for now we are looking at over 30 but we can only give a comprehensive number when preliminary investigations are concluded”.
Also hinting that the whereabouts of the victims are still unknown, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, however, disclosed that the unknown gunmen freed two children but went away with their mother.
The Commissioner, who said one of the abducted passengers escaped while the police arrested one of the kidnappers, admitted that; “The kidnap is the most difficult occurrence in the state currently.”
Recounting the unfortunate incident, Nehikhare said; “Few armed men came with vehicles at about 4 pm on Saturday and started shooting sporadically at the Igueben train station, kidnapping 31 while many others were injured in the process.
“They came with cars but took their victims into the bush on foot. The police in collaboration with the vigilantes and hunters started combing the bush almost immediately. One suspect has been arrested and he is helping the police in their investigation.”
The Commissioner said the State’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who visited the scene yesterday morning, conveyed the government message, saying; “We sympathise with the families of the victims and hope that this is the last we will have such daring people invading government infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, the community’s traditional ruler, Igueben Onogie Ehizojie Eluojierior I, described the incident as ‘shocking’, saying; ”The police, vigilance members and hunters are working together on the issue. They combed the bush till midnight on Saturday and resumed yesterday morning.
“The attack took everyone by surprise. It happened at 4 pm when the train was being expected and we are hopeful that every abducted person would return home safely”.
Reacting to the development, a resident of Igueben, Odia Benson charged both the Federal and Edo State government with ensuring improved security around the station which he noted is located “in the forest”, adding; “There is no security, no policemen, no vigilante members.”
Benson, who noted that “The NRC (Nigerian Railway Corporation) staff and passengers are just at the mercy of God”, also said, “the kidnappers dropped off two children at an abandoned petrol station and called the family of their mother to go and pick them up”.
He also said the passenger who escaped with her baby returned safely to Opoji, in Esan Central Local Government Area.
Also commenting on the incident, NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, said the attack would not affect the Itapkpe-Warri train service, even as he assured that additional security measures would be deployed on the train route.
In a public announcement posted on the passengers’ WhatsApp Group, The NRC said; ”This is to inform the general public and most especially our esteemed passengers, that Ekehen Station would be closed down till further notice due to security issues.
“Recall that it was earlier reported that the Edo State Police command said that scores of passengers waiting to board a train from the Igueben station in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State to Warri in Delta State were kidnapped after an attack by some suspected herdsmen.”
While pleading for understanding from passengers, the corporation assured that the relevant agencies are ready and determined to tackle the security challenges to ensure the safety and security of all travellers on the train route.
