China Train in Nigeria
..Rescued are a 65-year-old man, a nursing mother with her baby
–Others are a 6-year-old girl, 2 siblings aged 2 and 5 years
Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare has confirmed that six victims out of the 31 kidnapped last Saturday at the Edo train station at Igueben have been rescued. He announced this on Monday at a press conference.
He also assured that the search and rescue team had intensified efforts to rescue the remaining captives.
He said: “Following the directive from Governor Godwin Obaseki that the kidnappers that attacked the train in Igueben on Saturday be smoked out of their hiding and the persons abducted be rescued, we are happy to announce that six persons have been rescued.
“The six persons are a 65-year-old man, a nursing mother with her baby, a 6-year-old girl, and two siblings; aged two and five years old.
“We commend the efforts of the rescue team in the bushes and their support staff that have been working tirelessly since the incident occurred to ensure the kidnapped passengers are rescued and reunited with their families.
“We are confident that the other victims will be rescued soon as the highly motivated security personnel are in high spirits and have doubled down on the hot chase of the kidnappers.
“As events unfold in the bushes, be assured that we will keep you posted and we crave the support of all stakeholders, particularly the media to stay with the facts and avoid sensational reports that could further inflict emotional pain on the families and friends of the victims who are already in distress. Operation Bush Combing continues,” the commissioner said.
Since the incident on Saturday, the police and local vigilante in concert with other security personnel had been combing the bushes in Edo and environ.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation had shut the station.
