Men of the Nigeria Police Force have intensified manhunt for suspects who attacked and abducted scores of passengers waiting to board a train from Igueben in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo state to Warri in Delta State.

The police is partnering with local vigilantes and locals conversant with the neighbourhood. Meanwhile,  the Nigeria Railway Corporation has closed down the  Ekehen train station  till further notice. The NRC made the announcement on Sunday morning, less than 24 hours after the attack on the rail station.

The railway corporation said the decision became necessary following rising security challenges.

The Edo State Police Command had on Saturday night said 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 Command, in a press statement by its spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor, at about 9.55pm, stated that the incident happened at about 4.00pm on Saturday.

According to the statement, the suspected herdsmen, who were armed with AK 47 rifles, invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before abducting unspecified number of intending travellers into the bush.

In the process, some of the passengers  sustained bullet wounds, while all the attackers escaped into the bush with their captives.

The statement reads:

“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 Edo State Security Network, local vigilante, and hunter with a view to protect 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 development will be communicated.”