Following the attack on Saturday evening by gunmen on Igueben Train station in Edo State, leading to kidnap of some passengers, the Nigeria Railway Corporation on Sunday announced the closure of Ekehen Station in situated in the state till further notice.
However, in it’s reaction to the attack, the NRC said the decision to shut the railway station in Edo became necessary following rising security challenges.
NPO Reports learnt that,the announcement was posted on the passengers’ WhatsApp Group on Sunday morning.
The statement reads, “Public Announcement: This is to inform our general public and most especially our esteemed passengers, that Ekehen Station has been temporarily closed due to security issues, till further notice.”
Another notice reads, “Due to the incident at Ekehen station on Saturday, WITS 01/ 02 will no longer stop at Ekehen Station. Please advise our customers.”
NPO earlier Reported that Chidi Nwabuzor, Edo State Public Relations Officer of the Police confirmed the attack by Gunmen at the Igueben Local Government Area of Edo during which scores of train passengers were abducted
“This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that today, 7th of January, 2023 at about 1600hrs, unspecified number of herdsmen armed with AK 47 riffles attacked the train station at Igueben, Edo State and kidnapped unspecified number of passengers who were waiting to board the train to Warri.
“The kidnappers who shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping some passengers left some persons with bullet wounds. The Area Commander Irrua, DPO Igueben Division, and men have visited the scene of crime with members of the Edo State Security Network, local vigilantes, and hunters with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.
“Bush combing operations have commenced in order to rescue the victims and arrest the fleeing kidnappers. Further developments will be communicated,” Nwabuzor stated in a statement released to newsmen
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The recent attack came about 9 months after gunmen had on March 28, 2022 attacked moving train which headed to Kaduna from Abuja, killing some and abducting many other passengers.
Many of the passengers spent months in captivity while many others paid heavy ransom for their freedom.