Image:Vanguard.
Abductors of the Edo train passengers
are allegedly demanding N620 million for the release of their captives.
The Executive Director, of Esan Youth for Good Governance and Social Justice, Benson Odia said the suspected terrorists made contact with the victims' families and presented the demand, according to SaharaReporters citing The PUNCH.
Odia described the demand as "absurd" and urged security agents to intensify their rescue efforts.
“I can tell you that the kidnappers have demanded N20m, totaling N620m. This is absurd and I don’t know where poor people will be able to raise that amount of money,’’ Odia said.
Police have not confirmed the claim.
Seven captives were freed.
Image:SaharaReporters.
The Edo State Government said 20 passengers and not 32 were abducted from the Tom Ikimi/Ekehen station in Igueben on Saturday.
Seven of them have been freed.
Edo state communication and orientation commissioner, Chris Nehikhare, who clarified also stated that 13, not 25 victims were still being held captive by the kidnappers, adding that no ransom was paid for the release of the 7.
In an earlier statement, Nehikhare said that security agents arrested two kidnappers who were wanted in connection with a different case and they would help the police in their investigations.
The statement read, “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 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,” Nehikhare added.
In a statement on Wednesday the police commissioner in charge of the Railway Command, Yetunde Longe also assured that security agents were working hard to rescue the remaining victims.
What Lessons for NRC?
Image:Vanguard.
The Managing Director of NRC, in an interview with Channels TV on Monday, said the agency had been approved to acquire sophisticated security systems to aid its operations.
Speaking on lessons learned from the earlier Abuja-Kaduna train attack, he said, “We learned a lot from the last attack; improved our security by increasing the number of personnel; vigilantes, army, police, and some technology but we are not there yet. “We have to continue to improve and make sure that we get the required result.
“On Itakpe-Warri, we have engaged the local community to protect and also support the security architecture we have in place.
“So, I think we have improved but there is nothing that cannot be sabotaged with the will and determination of the saboteurs.”
IGP deploys police special squads.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has deployed police special squads, including the Intelligence Response Team and Anti-Terrorism Squad to Edo State to rescue the captives, Vanguard said.
A senior officer told journalists, “The IG has deployed the IRT and the anti-terrorism squad to Edo from Force headquarters. But the security agencies should have taken pre-emptive measures by deploying armed agents around the stations.”
Earlier the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, assured that the force headquarters would provide the needed support.
“We will give necessary support to Edo State Police Command and Railway Police Command on the rescue of the abducted victims; efforts are being intensified to rescue them and arrest the culprits,” he said.
The gunmen attacked the passengers as they waited to board the train to Warri in Delta State on Saturday.
The Police Public Relations Officer of Edo command, Chidi Nwabuzor, in a statement said the abductors were armed with AK 47s and shot sporadically into the air before taking away the intending travelers.
Crime.
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