The Federal Government has described the kidnapping of train passengers at Tom Ikimi Train Station, Igueben in Edo as despicable and utterly barbaric.
The Director of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
”The Public is hereby reassured that the security agencies are making efforts to rescue the kidnapped train passengers.
”The Nigeria 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.
”Further details will be communicated later, ” Ogubike stated.
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen had on Friday kidnapped scores of passengers waiting to board a train from Igueben, Edo State to Warri in Delta State, with many of the travellers injured.
Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chidi Nwabuzor, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the sad incident last night.
Nwabuzor, who stated that the incident happened at 4 p.m. yesterday, disclosed that the herdsmen were armed with AK-47 rifles. He said the gunmen invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before seizing an unspecified number of intending travellers that they moved into the forest.
In the ensuing confusion, some of the passengers, according to the PPRO, sustained bullet wounds, but assured that bush combing and rescue operations had begun in order to safely rescue the kidnapped passengers and arrest the fleeing kidnappers.
Nwabuzor stated that the Area Commander at Irrua, Edo State; the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Igueben, with many policemen had visited the scene of the crime with members of Edo State Security Network, local vigilance members and hunters, with a view to protect the lives and property of the remaining passengers.
