Before capturing an undetermined number of people, the attackers, whom the police described as “herdsmen,” shot randomly.
According to a statement released by the police on Sunday, some of the passengers also got bullet wounds.
In a brief message on Sunday, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the station’s closure.
Public announcement: Ekehen Station has been temporarily closed owing to security reasons, till further notice, it stated. “This is to alert our general public and most especially our respected travelers.”
The incident has also been denounced by the transportation ministry, which is in charge of the NRC.
Henshaw Ogubike, the ministry’s director of press & public relations, issued a statement on Sunday reading, “The Federal government condemns the vile and absolutely barbarous kidnapping of travelers at Tom Ikimi Train Station Igueben Edo State.”
“The Security Agencies hereby assure the Public that they are working to free the kidnapped Train Passengers. In order to safeguard the lives and property of the remaining passengers, the Nigerian Police have mobilized and are on the trail of the offenders.
The Government pledges that it will quickly address the uncomfortable situation and expresses its sadness over this unwelcome development.
He stated further information on the incident would be shared later.
A few months prior to the incident in Edo, militants ambushed a train headed for Kaduna in northern Nigeria, killing some passengers and capturing many more.
The majority of the abducted passengers were freed once the ransom was paid, and the remaining ones after the assailants and government negotiators struck an agreement.
