By Ahmad Deedat Zakari
Scores of people have been abducted in Edo train station and many were left with bullet wounds on Saturday evening.
Gunmen widely reported to be herdsmen invaded the Egbueben train station in Egbueben Local Government Area of Edo State and kidnapped passengers waiting to board the train to Warri in Delta State.
Many of the travellers reportedly sustained bullet wounds and the police disclosed that an uncertain number of passengers have been kidnapped.
The Edo Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident in a statement.
The statement reads, “This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that today, 7th of January, 2023 at about 1600hrs, unspecified number of herdsmen armed with AK 47 riffles attacked the train station at Igueben, Edo State and kidnapped 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 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”, Nwabuzor disclosed.
Train attacks have become prevalent in Nigeria. On March 28, 2022, Abuja-Kaduna train attack led to the death of about 14 passengers and 63 people were declared to be kidnapped after the incident.