Edo Train Attack: Station Manager, Head of Security Abducted

By Adesina Soyooye

The Station Manager and the Head of Security at the Igueben Train Station, Edo State, are among the 31 people abducted by terrorists in an attack on the Station.

The terrorists, already identified by the Police as rogue Fulani herdsmen, invaded the Station on Saturday 7th January, and made away with 32 people. One of the abducted  passengers escaped from their custody. 31 people are still missing, and many others injured.

One of the terrorists has, however, been arrested by the Police.

The terrorists invaded the Train Station  while the passengers were waiting to board a train to Warri. Eye witnesses said that, in their dozens, the terrorists, armed with AK 47 assault rifles, embarked on a shooting spree as soon as they arrived.

Among those abducted were the Train Station Manager, Godwin Okpe, the Head of Security, Mr Ikhayere, Victor Osarobho, a son of the soil, and the Station Ticket Clerk, Mr Akhere.

This is the second time terrorists will attack yrain Passengers. The first was a bloody attack on an Abuja-Kaduna bound train.

The train was almost in Kaduna when it was ambushed by terrorists who killed eight people and kidnapped 65 others.

The passengers were later  released in batches, at allegedly, N100 per person. They were held for months. The last batch, 23 in number, was released after eight months.

Meanwhile, Delta State Governor and the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has described the attack on the Train Station as very sad and unfortunate.

In a statement signed on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, dated 8th January, 2023, Okowa accused the Federal Government of playing with the lives of Nigerians. He asked the FG to “drop its lethargic attitude and cosmetic approach toward fighting insecurity in the Country.”

The statement reads in part:  “As a Country, we must be deeply concerned about the activities of armed groups and non-State actors trying to destabilise our Nation.

“With the General Elections a few weeks away, this dastardly act is not just worrisome but condemnable, and we urge Security Agencies to quickly track and apprehend the gunmen and rescue the victims.”