January 18, (THEWILL) – Seven persons, including two village chiefs, have been arrested over the recent attack on the Tom Ikimi train station at Igueben, in Edo State
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, confirmed the arrest to newsmen shortly after the state executive council meeting in Benin, on Wednesday.
THEWILL reported that gunmen had on January 7, attacked the train station and abducted 20 persons.
While security operatives had earlier rescued 18 victims, Nehikhare said the two remaining hostages had also been rescued by joint security agents.
“The success story in the kidnapping is that five persons and two village chiefs have been arrested in connection with the incident and they are helping with investigations,” he said.
On the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state, Nehikhare said, ”Over 50 persons have been infected with the Lassa fever since the outbreak in the state. We have five per cent fatality rate, which is very high compared to COVID-19.
“All appeals and entreaties to the Federal Government have been rebuffed.
“We are constrained to reach out to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other International Agencies to intervene in the infectious disease in our state.
“We have written letters to the Ministry of Health, National Centre Disease Control (NCDC) and all the people involved in disease matters to come and help us fight this disease but unfortunately they refused to come to our aid.”
