Twelve more victims who were abducted at the Igueben train station had been rescued unhurt on Saturday in Ughboa Forest.
Commissioner of Police in Edo State,Mohammed Dankwara,disclosed this to newsmen on Sunday.
According to him,the operation was successful as a result of joint forces working tirelessly to ensure the victims were reunited with their families unhurt.
He said:”I am pleased to inform you that on Saturday at about 10pm, the joint security forces in Edo State in a concerted effort to rescue the abducted victims of the Igueben Train Station attack, stormed Ughboa forest in a joint operation, through a technical intelligence provided to the command and control intelligence rapid response squad, and rescued 12 victims unhurt.
“They are as follows: Eunice Eseba (56 years), Marian Mowoe (28 years), Faith Smart (42 years), Precious Egwuje (28 years), Obehi Omaben (39 years) and Amm Benson (42 years).
“Others are Favour Akungo (18 years), Akhimen Ehiemamen (48 years), Christian iyere (33 years), Emmanuel Esieba (67 years), Iyoha Julius (25 years) and Aguelle Beatrice (42 years).
“This brings to 18 the number of victims rescued while two others who are staff members of the Nigeria Railway Cooperation are still being held captive by the kidnappers.
“Meanwhile, operation and synergy continue to ensure the remaining two are rescued,” he added.
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In his reaction,Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki commended the crack team made up of various security agencies in the state, hunters, and members of the Edo State Security Network, noting that their gallantry and tactfulness proved instrumental to the success recorded.
He described the development as a “good news” for the Government and the good people of Edo State as it concides with the Remembrance Day Anniversary in the country.
Obaseki said this on Sunday while visiting the rescued victims at the Police Cottage Hospital in Benin City, the state capital, where many of the rescued persons are currently recuperating.
Obaseki assured the victims that the state government will leave no stone unturned in securing the release of the two remaining hostages.
“We were able to track them and release 12 out of the 14 that were being held hostages unharmed,” the governor stated.
“We think it is something worth celebrating and we should thank and appreciate our members of the security forces for the sacrifice they have put in, the sleepless nights they have put in. We thank God that today which is Remembrance Day, we have something to rejoice about.”
The Governor, however expressed his disappointment at the Authorities of the Nigerian Railway Corporation for their act of negligence.
He insisted that the Kaduna train attack should have taught them to beef up security at their facilities nationwide.
“We must also express our disappointment at the authorities of the Nigerian Railway Corporation because, after the Kaduna incident, we expect that they will secure their facilities better.
“For six men to have come into their facility, I think it is something that has to be investigated. It doesn’t speak well of their preparedness to run an efficient rail system in this country and it doesn’t give Nigerians the confidence that they will be safe using that mode of transportation.”
On January 9,it was reported that gunmen kidnapped several persons from a train station in Igueben LGA, Edo state.
The victims were said to have been waiting for an evening train to board from the Igueben station to Warri in Delta state, when the incident occurred.
At least 30 people were reportedly kidnapped, but State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Christopher Nehikhare had said that intelligence report showed that 20 persons were kidnapped from the train station.