The Nigeria Railway Corporation on Sunday announced the closure of Ekehen Station in Edo State till further notice.

The organisation said the decision became necessary following rising security challenges.

The incident came barely one year after the March 28, 2022 attack by bandits on the Abuja-Kaduna train, resulting in the death of about 14 passengers while 65 others were abducted.

One of the victims and 21-year-old student of Kaduna State University, Lois Azurfa John, told our correspondent why she declined marriage proposals by the Boko Haram commander while in the custody of the insurgents.


A public announcement by the NRC posted on the passengers’ WhatsApp Group obtained by our correspondent said the closure was “till further notice.”

The statement reads, “Public Announcement: This is to inform our general public and most especially our esteemed passengers, that Ekehen Station has been temporarily closed due to security issues, till further notice.”

Another notice reads, “Due to the incident at Ekehen station on Saturday, WITS 01/ 02 will no longer stop at Ekehen Station. Please advise our customers.”

The PUNCH reported that gunmen suspected to be herdsmen on Saturday evening abducted many passengers waiting to board a train from the Igueben station in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State to Warri in Delta State, while many others sustained injuries.

The Spokesperson for Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident in a statement.

According to him, the abductors, armed with AK 47, invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before abducting scores of intending travellers into the bush.

Nwabuzor said that many of the passengers sustained bullet wounds, assuring that operatives were on the trail of the abductors with an aim to rescue those the kidnappers herded into the bush.

He said, “This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that on January 7, 2023, at about 1600hrs, an unspecified number of herdsmen armed with AK-47 riffles attacked the train station at Igueben, Edo State and kidnapped an unspecified number of passengers who were waiting to board the train to Warri.

“The kidnappers who shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping some passengers left some persons with bullet wounds. The Area Commander Irrua, DPO Igueben Division, and men have visited the scene of the crime with members of the Edo State Security Network, local vigilantes, and hunters with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.

“Bush combing operations have commenced in order to rescue the victims and arrest the fleeing kidnappers. Further developments will be communicated.”


https://punchng.com/breaking-abduction-nrc-shuts-edo-train-station-indefinitely/

Vote for Peter Obi

FG hasn't learnt anything from the past mistakes.

Must they wait until something bad happens.

At this rate.. they'll shut down the entire railway system.
Incompetent mofos..
Maybe that's what they even want in the first place

Thread won't grow, because it isn't the SE. The craziest thing about this event is that attacks happen in areas where "Politicians" who seek patronage from the Fulani come from.

Ogbaru....Idiotic Soludo
Nsukka....Despicable Ugwuanyi
Ebonyi...Bastard Umahi
Ondo.......Ranting Akeredolu
Auchi.......Demented Oshimonkey

It's very pathetic that Oshimonkey that failed woefully as a Governor, wants to go to the Senate as what?? The funniest part is that some deplorable urchins and senile miscreants that support a failure like Oshimonkey, are actually APC apologies from EDO State, who support the midget,because of useless crumbs he gives to them.

I know for a fact that EDO has rejected APC...but for Oshimonkey to require a Senate seat is totally embarrassing and pathetic.

APC and agbado miscreants are pathetic...spit

Thank God that their trains didn't come to the SE....we will blow up the rail lines totally. Enjoy your democracy dividend. Thank God IPOB wasn't mentioned.

If APC wins again, you will require visa to travel to your local government, because bandits will be in charge.

HenryWilliams:
At this rate.. they'll shut down the entire railway system.
Incompetent mofos..
Maybe that's what they even want in the first place

I fear for Lagos-Ibadan

FG cash cow is now the NRC

Why the fūck did Punch reveal the real name and school of the last train kidnap victim who shunned a marriage proposal from one of the terrorists ?

Not yet time for that ..the trains that terminate in Lagos from the North, must be filled with the legion of foot soldiers, who don't pay taxes or contribute to it's development, but are deployed to cause mayhem, when they push to take over starts...and that will be soonest. Let Idiats keep fixating on IGBO.

iwaeda:
If APC wins again, you will require visa to travel to uour local government, because bandits will be in charge.

You have a thinking cap. The whole strategy is laid bare, but IDIATS are shouting development.

iwaeda:


I fear for Lagos-Ibadan

RZArecta:
Why the fūck did Punch reveal the real name and school of the last train kidnap victim who shunned a marriage proposal from one of the terrorists ?

AfonjaEmir:
You have a thinking cap. The whole strategy is laid bare, but IDIATS are shouting development.

Only those alive can use developed infrastructure.

You have dropped another banger.

........Only those that are alive can use infrastructure...

Will thiefnubuu miscreants understand....NEVER!!

iwaeda:

Only those alive can use developed infrastructure.

What's the use of taking loans to build railway lines that terrorists can't allow citizens to use.... Meanwhile the loan which is supposed to be paid from the proceeds of the train services are defaulted on.

Shame on Buhari.

Peter Obi will rescue Nigeria

Kasim Shettima's Boko Haram boys are behind this attack

This is another Brazen reminder why Thïefnubu must not be voted for...

A vote for Thïefnubu is a vote for Boko Haram and increased Insurgency

Enough is Enough:.

Tinubu and Kasim Shettima's Boko Haram must Go

Zelenskyy:
Kasim Shettima's Boko Haram boys are behind this attack

This is another Brazen reminder why Thïefnubu must not be voted for...

A vote for Thïefnubu is a vote for Boko Haram and increased Insurgency

Enough is Enough:.

Tinubu and Kasim Shettima's Boko Haram must Go

Nlfpmod, uncle is vexed.

On a serious note, how powerful are the bandits/herdsmen against Nigeria forces?

Always late! Always a failure. What a government.

Racoon:
Always late! Always a failure. What a government.

Is there government in Nigeria?

Why do we even have railway stations in very secluded areas?
It exposes to attack, it prevents people from having easy access, what is then the benefit?

OlujobaSamuel:
Why do we even have railway stations in very secluded areas?
It exposes to attack, it prevents people from having easy access, what is then the benefit?

It is not bad idea, but APC is illuck to Nigeria.

Now that line can't generate revenue.

OlujobaSamuel:
Why do we even have railway stations in very secluded areas?
It exposes to attack, it prevents people from having easy access, what is then the benefit?

Do you guys understand how things work?

Brendaniel:


Do you guys understand how things work?

Kindly explain
I'm not talking about the railway lines but the station, boarding should have ease of accessibility.
The train station has actually discouraged me from giving it a trial.

It’s well

OlujobaSamuel:

Kindly explain
I'm not talking about the railway lines but the station, boarding should have ease of accessibility.
The train station has actually discouraged me from giving it a trial.

I get your point in terms of accessibility but not security.

There was an article that was brought to front page last week or so and I just shook my head at what some people were busy praising.

The topic was about securing the highways in the southwest and how amotekun, police and army where patrolling the highways to prevent kidnappings, the guy said he felt so proud to be a south westerner because of that and praised Akeredolu.

The questions I asked myself was, how sustainable is this, how is it going to solve the root problems of kidnapping ?

Solving the kidnapping issues in Nigeria to a large extent doesnt even require spending bilions, the security agencies cannot patrol the roads 24hrs, there are easier and better ways to handle this issue, the problem is we have very wrong leaders in power.

On the issue on the train station location, It is good if the location is accessible but also remember that there must be train stations in remote places too, so preventing kidnappings in such places should also be considered.

The police men might not be everywhere at the same time but policing can be done everywhere at the same time if only we have the right leaders to do the right things.

Security is not the gra gra they are doing patrolling everywhere then go back and relax then the kidnappers will strike, just a week after that topic reached front page, there was kidnappings and killings in Ondo state.

As long as the government doesn't tackle the root cause of insecurity, they are just on a wild goose chase...

Brendaniel:


I get your point in terms of accessibility but not security.

There was an article that was brought to front page last week or so and I just shook my head at what some people were busy praising.

The topic was about securing the highways in the southwest and how amotekun, police and army where patrolling the highways to prevent kidnappings, the guy said he felt so proud to be a south westerner because of that and praised Akeredolu.

The questions I asked myself was, how sustainable is this, how is it going to solve the root problems of kidnapping ?

Solving the kidnapping issues in Nigeria to a large extent doesnt even require spending bilions, the security agencies cannot patrol the roads 24hrs, there are easier and better ways to handle this issue, the problem is we have very wrong leaders in power.

On the issue on the train station location, It is good if the location is accessible but also remember that there must be train stations in remote places too, so preventing kidnappings in such places should also be considered.

The police men might not be everywhere at the same time but policing can be done everywhere at the same time if only we have the right leaders to do the right things.

Security is not the gra gra they are doing patrolling everywhere then go back and relax then the kidnappers will strike, just a week after that topic reached front page, there was kidnappings and killings in Ondo state.

As long as the government doesn't tackle the root cause of insecurity, they are just on a wild goose chase...

Very apt.

Wow

Brendaniel:


I get your point in terms of accessibility but not security.

There was an article that was brought to front page last week or so and I just shook my head at what some people were busy praising.

The topic was about securing the highways in the southwest and how amotekun, police and army where patrolling the highways to prevent kidnappings, the guy said he felt so proud to be a south westerner because of that and praised Akeredolu.

The questions I asked myself was, how sustainable is this, how is it going to solve the root problems of kidnapping ?

Solving the kidnapping issues in Nigeria to a large extent doesnt even require spending bilions, the security agencies cannot patrol the roads 24hrs, there are easier and better ways to handle this issue, the problem is we have very wrong leaders in power.

On the issue on the train station location, It is good if the location is accessible but also remember that there must be train stations in remote places too, so preventing kidnappings in such places should also be considered.

The police men might not be everywhere at the same time but policing can be done everywhere at the same time if only we have the right leaders to do the right things.

Security is not the gra gra they are doing patrolling everywhere then go back and relax then the kidnappers will strike, just a week after that topic reached front page, there was kidnappings and killings in Ondo state.

As long as the government doesn't tackle the root cause of insecurity, they are just on a wild goose chase...

I agree with you.

Nigeria

Last year was Kaduna, some of the families are still grieving