12 more passengers at the Ekehen train station (also called the Tom Ikimi Train Station) in Igueben, Edo State, have been rescued from their abductors, according to the police, Sunday.
The State Police Command announced that the 12 were rescued by a by joint security forces in the state, including the military, vigilante groups, and local hunters.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Dankwara CP, in a statement, Sunday, released by the Command Spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor SP, in Benin City, disclosed that the rescue operation was carried out on Saturday night, June 14 by joint security forces.
“On 14th of January, 2023 at about 22:00 hours, joint security forces in Edo state in concerted efforts to rescue abducted victims of Igueben train Station attack, stormed Ugbosa forest in a joint operation, through a technical intelligence provided the command and control intelligence rapid response squad and rescued twelve victims unhurt.
“The rescued victims as confirmed by him are as follows: “Eunice Eseba ‘f’ 56yrs, Marian Mowoe ‘f’ 28yrs, Faith Smart ‘f’ 42yrs, Precious Egweju ‘f’ 28yra, Obehi Omaben ‘f’ 39yrs, Amm Benson ‘f’ 42yrs, Favour Akungo ‘f’ 18yrs, Akhimen Ehiamamen ‘m’ 48yrs, Christian Iyre ‘m’ 33yrs, Emmanuel Esieba m 67yrs, Iyoha Julius ‘m’ 25yrs and Aguele Beatrice ‘f’ 42yrs.
“This bring to eighteen (18) number of victims so far rescued, while two others who are staff of the Nigeria Railway Cooperation are still been held captive by the kidnappers.
“Meanwhile, cooperation and synergy continue to ensure the remaining two victims are rescued unhurt,” the police commissioner stated.
Those still believed to be in the attackers’ custody in the aftermath of the attack include; the train Station Manager, Godwin Okpe, Head of Security, identified simply as Ikhayere, the Station Ticket Clerk, also identified as Akhere, as well as an Igueben community resident, Victor Osarobho.
It would be recalled that the terrorists had stormed the train station, penultimate Saturday evening, abducting an undisclosed number of passengers waiting to board a train from the Igueben station in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State to Warri in Delta State, while many others sustained injuries.
The attack was later confirmed by Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, who said in a statement, that the attackers, armed with AK 47, invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before abducting scores of intending travellers into the bush.
Nwabuzor said that many of the passengers sustained bullet wounds, assuring that operatives were on the trail of the abductors with an aim to rescue those the kidnap victims herded into the bush.
“This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that on January 7, 2023, at about 1600hrs, an unspecified number of herdsmen armed with AK 47 riffles attacked the train station at Igueben, Edo State and kidnapped an unspecified number of passengers who were waiting to board the train to Warri.
“The kidnappers who shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping some passengers left some persons with bullet wounds. The Area Commander Irrua, DPO Igueben Division, and men have visited the scene of the crime with members of the Edo State Security Network, local vigilantes, and hunters with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.
“Bush combing operations have commenced in order to rescue the victims and arrest the fleeing kidnappers. Further developments will be communicated.”