The Edo State Government has disclosed that one out of the 32 passengers that were kidnapped by some yet-to-be-identified gunmen at the Igueben Train Station, in Igueben Local Government Area of the state has escaped from captivity.
The Commissioner for Communications and Orientation in the state, Chris Nehikhare, during a press briefing in Benin City also said that security operatives have arrested one of the suspected kidnappers.
He said: “After 32 persons were kidnapped, the Police, vigilante, and local hunters swung into action, combing the bushes around the vicinity. One of the kidnapped victims was able to escape.
“The Edo State deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, has visited the scene of the attack for on-the-spot assessment and was told that one of the suspects was arrested and he had been helping the police with investigation to arrest other fleeing members of the kidnapping gang.
“We congratulate the Police and other security agencies for their swiftness in attending to the security brief. We appreciate the local hunters and members of the Edo State Security Network as their collaboration assisted in this operation. This synergy led to the success recorded in a very short time.”
“We hope this is the last time we will have such an attack on government infrastructure, especially train stations here in Edo State. Our security network was swift to react to the incident and we condole the families of the victims”.
Nehikhare added that the state government will give necessary support to the security agencies, vigilantes and local hunters who are on the trail of the kidnappers.
