Three days after the kidnap of 32 people from a train station in Igueben, Edo state, another victim said to be a woman has been reportedly rescued by security agencies combing the area.
This came after Monday announcement by Edo State commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, that six persons out of the 31 victims kidnapped at the Igueben train station had been rescued.
He had stated that two more suspects on the wanted list of the police have been arrested as investigation is on to determine their culpability in the kidnap incident.
Although the identity of the woman and the details of how she regained her freedom remain unclear, the police confirmed her release.
When contacted, the police public relations officer, Edo State Police command, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor said: “Yes, a woman has been rescued making it a total of seven persons that have been rescued so far.”
Meanwhile, a public and private security analyst and trainer, Major Banjo Daniel (retd) has blamed the recent attack and abduction of intending passengers on failure of the government to take proactive measures.
He advocated for a community-based policing instead of state policing.
He said kidnapping has proven to be a ‘cheap’ source of wealth.
“Cheap as in a thousandfold turnover, quick gains, short payback period with little or no risk. Above implies that hundreds of millions are usually made as soon as possible knowing that the government and her security agencies wilfully or otherwise has no intent of harming them and have actually preferred a friendly choice as against the flew”, he said.
He said the attack would have been foreseen and preventable if the government was serious about protecting the people.
He noted that another hostage situation would be no news to him since “appropriate authorities have failed in the performance of their respective duties”.
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