The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) says it has not closed down Ekehen Station in Edo State following an attack by gunmen Saturday.
Dismissing the report of the suspension of train services on the Itakpe-Warri axis following an attack by gunmen on Ekehen Train Station in the Igueben ,managing director of the NRC, Fidet Okhiria, told Channels Television via telephone that the train services have not been suspended, contrary to reports making the rounds.
Okhiria confirmed that there was an attack which the police and the NRC are currently looking into, but said the incident has not disrupted operations at the station.
“As I speak to you now, a train is running,” Okhiria said, adding that the railway corporation is putting in place measures to ensure the safety of passengers.
It is also reported that more victims of the incident have been rescued. Prior to this update, one victim was said to have been rescued.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare says security operatives have arrested one of the suspected kidnappers involved in the kidnapping of 32 passengers at the train station, in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State.
The commissioner disclosed this during a press briefing in Benin City.
He said: “After 32 persons were kidnapped, the Police, vigilante, and local hunters swung into action, combing the bushes around the vicinity.”
Nehikhare noted, “The Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu has visited the scene of the attack for on-the-spot assessment and was told that one of the suspects was arrested and he has been helping the police with investigation to arrest other fleeing members of the kidnapping gangs.
“We congratulate the Police and other security agencies for their swiftness in attending to the security brief. We appreciate the local hunters and members of the Edo State Security Network as their collaboration assisted in this operation. This synergy led to the success recorded in a very short time.
“We hope this is the last time we will have such an attack on government infrastructure, especially train stations here in Edo State. Our security network was swift to react to the incident and we condole the families of victims. We will give necessary support to the security agencies, vigilantes and local hunters who are on the trail of these kidnappers,” he added.
