Insecurity: Gunmen Attack Train Station, Scores Of Passengers Abducted

An unknown number of passengers have been abducted from a train station in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

Per reports, the incident took place on Saturday as the victims waited to board a train to Warri in Delta State.

Confirming the development, State’s Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed that the assailants were armed with AK-47 rifles.

Nwabuzor added that the exact number of those taken could not be ascertained.

He described the gunmen as 'herdsmen' who were in the business of cattle rearing but have become full-fledged criminals who go about killing and kidnapping people across the nation.

“This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that today, 7th of January, 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", Nwabuzor said in a statement.

The unfortunate development brings to mind the earlier attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022, which left several dead and many captured.

Though the captives later regained their freedom, the incident left an indelible scar in the hearts of citizens who continue to call on the government to tackle the spate of kidnapping in the country.