One of the Fulani herdsmen who attacked a train station and abducted over 30 passengers in IKekhen in Igueben, Edo State, has been arrested.
The unidentified suspect was arrested during an extensive bush combing ordered by the Edo State Police Commissioner Mohammed Dankwara.
On Saturday, January 7, an unidentified number of Fulani Herdsmen attacked the train station and abducted many passengers, including a baby.
Upon the news of the kidnapping incident, the security team immediately swung into action and mobilised into the forest.
The police strike teams were drawn from Irrua Area command, Anti Kidnapping Squad, Crack team, Igueben Divisional Headquarters and some members of the Esan Vigilante Network called “Atanakpa”.
The Standard Gazette team gathered that a baby kidnapped along with their parents was dropped in a nearby bush. The kidnappers then called a family member to pick up the child while leading the parents into the forest.
The Nigerian police are confident that the arrested suspect is their chief negotiator as police recovered the phones of the abducted passengers on him.
During the arrest, the family members of the victims were calling the various lines for ransom negotiation, The Standard Gazette gathered.
The suspect is helping the police with their investigation; a source told TSG.
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, Edo state Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu and the commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Dankwara, visited the Railway mini station in Igueben, where the incident happened.
They have requested extensive bush combing to rescue those kidnapped unhurt.
Security Agencies are currently hunting for Igueben train station attack, says Edo Government
The Edo State commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, has confirmed that a combined team of Military, the police, men of the vigilante network and hunters have been deployed to hunt down the kidnappers.
Nehikhare, who gave the update on the effort of the Edo government to rescue the 32 kidnapped passengers, said on Sunday, “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.
At 3 pm on Sunday, one suspect has been captured and is helping Police with their investigation.”
The government also confirmed that “one victim out of the 32 people kdinapped escaped from the hands of the abductors. We are confident that the other victims will be rescued in the coming hours.”
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has visited the Igueben Train Station for an on-the0spot assessment.
The government condoles the families of the victim for the unfortunate incident.
The Commissioner appealed for calm and urged citizens to assist security personnel with information on suspicious movements in and around their neighbourhoods, particularly where the rescue operation is taking place.
©Standard Gazette