Edo attack: Station manager, train manifest missing, one suspect arrested

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, has confirmed that Ekehen train station manager is one of those abducted by gunmen who attacked the station on Saturday.

He also said a manifest of those expected to board the train at the station is missing.

He spoke in an interview on Arise News during its 9pm news, just as Edo State Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said security operatives had arrested one of the suspected kidnappers.

Although the NRC MD could not give the actual number of travellers and railway workers abducted, the state commissioner put the figure at 32.

Nehikhare also disclosed during a press briefing in Benin City on Sunday that one out of those abducted had escaped from the 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.”

He said, “The Edo State Deputy Governor, 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 on 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. We will give necessary support to the security agencies, vigilantes and local hunters who are on the trail of these kidnappers.”