John Ugo
The Edo State government has said that 20 persons were kidnapped in the last Saturday train abduction saga, and not 32 as earlier stated.
Suspected armed herdsmen had invaded the train station in Igueben, headquarters of Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State on Saturday.
The kidnappers were said to have abducted 32 passengers waiting to board train to Warri, Delta State.
However the Government said with the rescue of seven hostages in the kidnappers dean, only 13 persons are in custody of the abductors.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nekhihare, who stated this on Wednesday, said the latest information was received from security intelligence.
According to him, “From intelligence reports, the kidnappers only took 20 hostages as against 32 initially reported.”
Besides, the Edo State Government Spokesman, disclosed the state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, has meet with Igueben community leaders, heads of security agencies to assure residents of measures to check crime
He quoted Shaibu as saying that the government is strengthening security to check crime.
He stated that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration will make the state unsafe for kidnappers and other criminal elements to thrive.
He said the deputy governor was joined at the meeting by other top government officials, including the Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Clifford Ordia and the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Marcus Onobun where he called for calm among residents of Igueben LGA.
Shuaibu was also said to have urged members of the public to provide useful information that will aid rescue efforts by security agencies.
He noted that Shaibu informed the people of what government is doing to boost the morale of men on ground and also review the security strategy.
He was also said to have warned the people of the consequences of harbouring terrorists in their domain.
He also told the royal father’s in the area to sit up because if government finds out that they let out their facilities to be used by the kidnappers, such facilities will be seized.
A statement by Edo State Police Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, on Saturday night said the suspected herdsmen invaded the train station, shot sporadically into the air with AK-47 before kidnapping unspecified number of persons while some were left with bullet injuries.
