Edo train station attack: Nursing mother, five others rescued

Six victims of Saturday evening’s train station kidnap at the Igueben-Ekehen train station in Edo state have been rescued by the search team.

The rescued victims include a 65-year-old man, a nursing mother with her baby, a 6-year-old girl, and two siblings; aged two and five years old.

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen had attacked passengers waiting to board the train to Udu, in Delta State, kidnapping 31 passengers and injuring many others in the process.

The state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, while announcing the rescue of the victims by security operatives, expressed confidence that the other victims would be rescued soon.

Nehikhare also disclosed that two additional suspects had been arrested, noting that the suspects were persons formerly declared wanted by the security agencies in connection with criminal activities in Edo central senatorial district.

According to him, “Following the directive from Governor Godwin Obaseki that the kidnappers that attacked the train in Igueben on Saturday be smoked out of their hiding and the persons abducted be rescued, we are happy to announce that six (6) persons have been rescued.

“The highly motivated security personnel are in high spirits and have doubled down on the hot chase of the kidnappers.

“We commend the efforts of the rescue team in the bushes and their support staff that have been working tirelessly since the incident occurred to ensure the kidnapped passengers are rescued and reunited with their families.

“As events unfold in the bushes, be assured that we will keep you posted and we crave the support of all stakeholders, particularly the media to stay with the facts and avoid sensational reports that could further inflict emotional pain on the families and friends of the victims who are already in distress”, he said.