A total of 31 passengers were taken hostage at the Igueben-Ekehen train station, according to the Edo State Government.
Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor, has also visited the accident site to assess the rescue operations in person.
On Saturday, January 7, 2023, at or around 4 p.m., the incident happened as the victims and other passengers were waiting to board a train at Ujevwu train station in Udu, Delta State.
According to reports, numerous additional passengers were wounded during the attack by bullets fired by gunmen who were thought to be Fulani herdsmen.
The State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
He disclosed that 32 passengers were initially abducted, but one escaped.
Nehikhare who gave an update on efforts of the Edo State Government to rescue the kidnapped passengers in Benin, said that a combined team of the military, the police, men of the vigilante network and hunters were currently on the heels of the kidnappers.
According to him: “At the moment, security personnel made up of the military and the police as well as men of the vigilante network and hunters are intensifying search and rescue operations in reasonable radius to rescue the kidnapped victims. As at 3pm Sunday, one suspect has been captured and is helping police with their investigation.
“One victim out of the 32 people kidnapped escaped from the hands of the abductors. We are confident that the other victims will be rescued in the coming hours.”
Meanwhile, the State Government has condoled with the families of the victims for this unfortunate occurrence.
Nehikhare in the statement appealed for calm and urged citizens to assist security personnel with information of suspicious movements in and around their neighborhoods, particularly in the area where the rescue operation is taking place.
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