The Edo State government has released an update on the victims of the train station attack where 32 persons were kidnapped.
The gunmen struck at Igueben Local Government Area while the victims were waiting to board a train to Warri in Delta State.
Speaking to Tribune, an official of the local government area revealed that over 30 people were abducted in the attack
The LGA Liaison Officer, Best Oseh speaking on the incident said efforts have been put in place by security agencies to rescue the victims.
He said that the rescue teams included the police, vigilante and other paramilitary organisations.
According to him, the security operatives are combing the bust 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.”
A resident of the area, identified as Odia Benson said abductors released two kids who were with them, while a woman reportedly escaped.
Odia noted that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) station manager and the ticket clerk were among the victims abducted.
He said, “The train normally arrives by 5 pm so at about 20 minutes to 5 pm, bandits just came through the bush part and invaded the place, they took away the station manager, took away the booking clerk and about 29 other passengers made up of males and females.
“As I speak with you, the Deputy Governor left the place about an hour ago, the Commissioner of Police and his men are here, the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army Commander is here, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) is here and many paramilitary representatives; the DPO Igueben and his men, the Esan Akatakpa Security network, the hunters association have been in the forest since last night doing bush combing. We are hoping that by the end of today, they will be rescued.
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