Security operatives rescue two abducted train passenger

Two more victims of kidnapped train passengers in Edo State have been rescued by a joint team of military, police, local vigilante and hunters.

The PUNCH reports that 32 persons including two staff of the train station in Igueben were abducted by bandits who invaded the station with sophisticated weapons while waiting to board a train.

But the state government claimed that only 20 passengers were kidnapped while seven have been rescued leaving 13 persons still in the kidnappers’ den.

However, the state’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nekhihare, on Friday, confirmed the rescue of two more persons, adding that 11 victims are still in captivity.

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He said the rescue took place Thursday morning. The commissioner added that the state government in conjunction with the security agents in are doing everything to ensure the remaining 11 are rescued.

“The president of the Customary Court Aigbonoga was rescued but unfortunately, one of the policemen, DSP Michael Adams, involved in the rescued operation died of natural causes after the operation. He wasn’t felled by a bullet.

“Also the state deputy governor and directors of all the security agents have paid a condolence visit to the widow and child of the deceased.”

The state Police Command PPRO, SP Chidi Nwabuzo, also confirmed that two people were rescued in the early hours of Thursday.

He also stated that the police officer who died during the rescue of the president of the customary court died of natural causes.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has commiserated with the family of DSP Michael Adams. The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, who led other top government functionaries and security officers to the home of late DSP Adams on Airport Road, Benin City, condoled with the family and expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident.

He noted that the late DSP Adams was a gallant officer whose exploits are worthy of commendations and emulation.

“All the heads of security agencies are here. We are grieving. He left a family behind and we have to come and commiserate with them and also join them in this dark moment. The loss is not for the family alone but for all of us because when we lose gallant men like this, then it’s a major problem for us because we need a lot of these gallant officers alive to tackle insecurity,” he said.

He added: “It’s very unfortunate that we lost him but what is key is that he was a gallant officer that went on a successful mission. Fortunately, the mission was successful and they were able to rescue the victims alive.

“Spending over 5 days in the bush and rescuing victims alive is not something that is common. Such an officer obviously deserves a posthumous medal.”

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dankwara, added that Adams did not die in a shoot-out as beign rumoured.

He said, “They went for an operation and along the line, he felt that he was not feeling too well after the rescue of the magistrate and other victims. He was not shot.”

Responding on behalf of the family, the elder brother of the deceased, Ebi Naingba, appreciated the state government and other security chiefs and pleaded on behalf of the family that the state should step in for the upkeep and education of the children left behind by DSP Adam.