***Says 20 Persons Abducted Not 32 As Earlier Announced
The government of Edo State has threatened to confiscate any facility where terrorists or kidnappers are discovered in any community throughout the state and has warned traditional rulers and community leaders of the repercussions of harboring terrorists in their territory.
This information was revealed shortly after it was initially reported that 32 people had been abducted during the Saturday train attack at Igueben Train Station.
When providing an update on the Saturday attack on the Igueben train station, Chris Osa Nekhihare, the commissioner for communication and orientation for the state of Edo, revealed to reporters that Philip Shaibu, the state’s deputy governor, read the riot act to the royal fathers and community leaders during his visit to the area on Tuesday.
According to Nehikhare, the state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, has meet with Igueben community leaders, heads of security agencies to assure residents of measures to check crime
“Shaibu informed the people of what government is doing to give morale boost to troup on ground and also review the security strategy.
“The deputy governor warned the people of the consequences of harbouring terrorists in their domain, while telling the royal father’s within the area to sit up because if government found out that they let out their facilities to be used by the kidnappers, such facilities will be confisticated”
The Communication and Orientation Commissioner however disclosed that only 20 persons were kidnapped in the Saturday train attacked at Igueben Station, and not 32 as earlier announced.
With the rescue of seven hostages in the kidnappers dean, according to him, only 13 persons are in custody of the abductors.
Nekhihare who said the latest information was gotten from security intelligence also explained that from intelligence report, the kidnappers only took 20 hostages as against 32 initially reported.
He quoted Shaibu as saying that the government is strengthening security to check crime and criminality, vowing that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration will make the state unsafe for kidnappers and other criminal elements to thrive.
He said the deputy governor was joined at the meeting by other top government officials, including the Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator. Clifford Ordia and the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Marcus Onobun, where he called for calm among residents of Igueben LGA, urged members of the public to provide useful information that will aid rescue efforts by security agencies.
