On Saturday, January 7, 2022, at the Igueben train sub-station in Edo State, at least 31 passengers and employees of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) were reportedly kidnapped by gunmen.

This was revealed yesterday at a media briefing by Mr. Chris Nehikhare, the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation.

Who were the gunmen? The state police command claimed that the abductors were herdsmen carrying AK-47 rifles in a statement released yesterday. It was confirmed that some of the passengers had been shot and that rescue efforts had started by bushwhacking and searching for the victims.

"This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at about 1600 hours, an unknown number of herdsmen armed with AK-47 rifles attacked the train station at Igueben, Edo State, and kidnapped an unknown number of passengers who were waiting to board the train to Warri," the press release from the Edo State police command read.

Some passengers were wounded by the gunfire of the kidnappers, who fired randomly into the air before kidnapping some of the passengers. In order to safeguard the lives and property of the remaining passengers, the Area Commander, Irrua, DPO Igueben Division, and men visited the crime scene with Edo State Security Network members, neighborhood watch members, and hunters.

Updates: The command stated that the suspected herdsmen carried their victims into the bush on foot. The statement was signed by its spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor.

According to emerging reports, the kidnappers let go of two children so as not to slow down their escape plan.

However, Nehikhare disclosed that one of the kidnappers had been arrested and is currently helping the police in their investigation, while one of the victims escaped.