Two Traditional Rulers Arrested Over Train Station Attack

...... two remaining NRC staff regain freedom

By Lucky Isibor

Edo state government on Wednesday said two traditional rulers and five others have been arrested in connection with the Igueben train station attack.

The State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon Chris Nehikhare made the disclosure at a press briefing with newsmen in Benin City after the weekly State Executive Council meeting.

Nehikhare also disclosed that the two remaining victims of the attack who are staff of the Nigerian Railways Corporation have been rescued by security agencies.

"The Council was also informed that the remaining two hostages from the Igueben train station kidnap incident had been rescued and Seven suspects have been arrested and currently in police custody including two village chiefs. 

" As at today, none of the victims are in the hand of the abductors. Also seven persons which include two traditional rulers have been arrested in alleged connection with the train station attack "

The Igueben train station attacked happened January 7, 2023 in which  about 20  intending passengers were kidnapped.

The commissioner, however, raised alarm of the widespread of Lassa Fever in the state said over 50 cases have been recorded in the state while 5 percent of mortality rate have also been recorded.

He said the death rate was the highest among the affected States in the country.

He, however, called on the international agencies such as the Who Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to call to the aid of the state as  all efforts made by the state government to appeal to the federal government to tackle the epidemic had not  been heeded to.

According to him, the state government efforts to tackle the Lassa fever outbreak has not yielded any positive results.

"We have reached out to the federal government on the issue to come to our aid.

"As at today over 50 persons have been effected with the disease with 5 percent mortality rate which is the highest in states where the outbreak have been recorded.

 "All letters and entreaties to the federal ministry of Health, the 

 Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) and all other relevant agencies have not received any positive response from the government",he added.

He said the Lassa Fever is prevalent in local governments such as Esan West, Etsako West, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Esan North East, Esan Central and Esan South East.

He, however, commended the media for the prompt and accurate reportage of the Igueben train station attack in the last one week.