BENIN – Edo State government on Mon­day announced the rescue of six of the 32 abducted persons at the train station at Igueben, Igueben Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

Chris Osa Nehikhare, the state Commissioner for Com­munication and Orientation, who announced this at a press conference, said the rescue of the six persons was the result of the operation bush combing that was ordered by Governor Godwin Obaseki on Sunday.

According to Nehikhare, “Following the directive from Governor Godwin Obaseki that the kidnappers that attacked the train in Igueben on Saturday be smoked out of their hiding and the persons abducted be rescued, we are happy to announce that six persons have been rescued.

“The six persons are, a 65-year-old man, a nursing moth­er with her baby, a six-year-old girl and two siblings, aged two and five years old, respectively.

“We commend the efforts of the rescue team in the bushes and their support staff that have been working tirelessly since the incident occurred to ensure the kidnapped passengers are res­cued and reunited with their families.

“We are confident that the other victims will be rescued soon as the highly motivated se­curity personnel are in high spir­its and have doubled down on the hot chase of the kidnappers.

“As events unfold in the bush­es, be assured that we will keep you posted and we crave the support of all stakeholders, par­ticularly the media, to stay with the facts and avoid sensational reports that could further inflict emotional pain on the families and friends of the victims who are already in distress”.