…NRC denies shutdown of train Station
The Federal Government has condemned the despicable and utterly barbaric kidnapping of passengers at the Tom Ikimi Train Station, Igueben Edo State.
The Edo State Police Command had Saturday night announced that scores of travellers waiting to board a train from Igueben in Igueben Local Government Area of the state to Warri in Delta State, were kidnapped by suspected herdsmen.
The government, through the Ministry of Transportation, noted that efforts are being made to rescue passengers kidnapped during the attack.
The Director, Press/Public Relations of the ministry, Henshaw Ogubike, in a statement Sunday in Abuja, said: “The public is hereby reassured that the security agencies are making efforts to rescue the kidnapped train passengers.”
Ogubike added that the personnel of the Nigeria Police are on the trail of the criminals and have mobilised with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.
He said: “The government is saddened by this unpleasant development and assures on its prompt response to the ugly situation.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has, however, dismissed reports of the suspension of train services on the Itakpe-Warri axis following the attack by gunmen.
Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director of NRC told Channels Television via telephone that the train services have not been suspended, contrary to reports making the rounds.
He confirmed that there was an attack which the police and the NRC are currently looking into, but said the incident has not disrupted operations at the station.
“As I speak to you now, a train is running,” Okhiria said, adding that the railway corporation is putting in place measures to ensure the safety of passengers.
The police command in Edo State on Sunday had confirmed that suspected herdsmen stormed the station and kidnapped scores of passengers waiting to board a train to Warri, Delta State.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, while confirming the incident, said the assault which took place on Saturday evening, left many persons injured.
According to the Police, the abductors, armed with AK-47 rifles, invaded the train station and shot indiscriminately into the air before abducting scores of intending travellers into the bush.