NO fewer than 38 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed to join in the operation aimed at rescuing those abducted during a recent attack on a train station in Edo State.
The PUNCH reports that passengers waiting to board a train from the Igueben station in Igueben Local Government Area of the state to Warri in Delta State were abducted on January 7, 2023.
Many of the travellers were also reportedly injured.
The attack came barely a year after terrorists attacked a Kaduna-bound train from Abuja, at a place called Katari in Kaduna State.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Sunday, the spokesperson of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, said “38 personnel were deployed for the rescue operations while eight personnel are stationed in each railway office.”
Odumosu also assured Nigerians that such an attack will not occur again as the NSCDC and other security agencies are on the alert
Another 12 rescued
Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has said 12 more abducted passengers were rescued unhurt on Saturday at Udo Forest in Ughboa.
Those rescued, according to the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dankwara, are Eunice Eseba (56 years), Marian Mowoe (28 years), Faith Smart (42 years), Precious Egwuje (28 years), Obehi Omaben (39 years) and Amm Benson (42 years).
Others are Favour Akungo (18 years), Akhimen Ehiemamen (48 years), Christian Iyere (33 years), Emmanuel Esieba (67 years), Iyoha Julius (25 years) and Aguelle Beatrice (42 years).
Dankwara said that Saturday’s operation brought to 18 the number of victims rescued while two others who are staff members of the Nigeria Railway Cooperation are still being held captive by the kidnappers.
Obaseki speaks
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has expressed disappointment over the security arrangement put up by the NRC at the Ubeaja train Station.
“So, for six men to have entered and kidnapped about 30 people is something I think should be investigated. It does not speak well of their preparedness to run a safe and efficient rail transport system in the country. It does not give Nigerians the confidence to use that mode of transportation.”
The governor said there was no ransom paid to secure the release of the abducted victims because the special forces went into the forest and overpowered the kidnappers who ran away with only two of their victims and they left the rest.
