12 Train Attack Victims Rescued In Edo

Joint security forces rescued 12 victims of an attack on a railway station in Igueben, Edo state last Saturday.

Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki told reporters on Sunday at the police shed more light at the hospital in the state capital, Benin, where many of those rescued are now recovering.

“We were able to track them and release 12 out of the 14 that were being held hostages unharmed,” the governor stated.

“We think it is something worth celebrating and appreciate our members of the security forces for the sacrifice they have put in, the sleepless nights they have put in. We thank God that today which is Remembrance Day, we have something to rejoice about.”

Recent rescues bring the total number of captives to two.

Obaseki then dug into the Nigerian Railway Corporation and blamed the railway authorities for their negligence.

He argued that the attack on the Kaduna train should have taught them to tighten security at facilities across the country.

“We must also express our disappointment at the authorities of the Nigerian Railway Corporation because, after the Kaduna incident, we expect that they will secure their facilities better.

“For six men to have come into their facility, I think it is something that has to be investigated. It doesn’t speak well of their preparedness to run an efficient rail system in this country and it doesn’t give Nigerians the confidence that they will be safe using that mode of transportation.”

Last Saturday, 32 persons, including two workers at the train station, were abducted while waiting to board a train by bandits who invaded the station with sophisticated weapons.

While a number of victims are now free, the Edo State Government said two more kidnapped persons have regained freedom.