The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, has said that a combined team of the military, the police, men of the vigilante network and hunters have arrested one suspected kidnapper while they are on the heels of others.
The arrested suspect was among kidnappers that attacked the Igueben train station on Saturday and abducted 32 passengers. One of them reportedly escaped.
Nehikhare, who gave an update on efforts of the Edo State Government to rescue the kidnapped passengers in Benin, on Sunday, said Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu had visited the scene of the attack.
He said: “At the moment, security personnel made up of the military and the police as well as men of the vigilante network and hunters are intensifying search and rescue operations in reasonable radius to rescue the kidnap victims. As at 3pm Sunday, one suspect has been captured and is helping police with their investigation.
“One victim out of the 32 people kidnapped escaped from the hands of the abductors. We are confident that the other victims will be rescued in the coming hours.”
The Commissioner also said “the Deputy Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has visited the Igueben Train Station for an on-the-spot assessment of rescue efforts and to throw government’s weight behind the security operations.”
He ssid Edo State Government condoled with the families of the victims for this unfortunate occurrence.
Nehikhare appealed for calm and urged citizens to assist security operatives with information of suspicious movements in and around their neighborhoods, particularly in the area where the rescue operation is taking place.
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