The Onogie of Igueben, Edo State, Ehizojie Eluojierior, has condemned the abduction of scores of passengers from the train station in the state on Saturday.
According to him, the ugly incident threw the community into an unwanted silence as a lot of people have yet to recover from it.
Ehizojie Eluojierior revealed that there had been cases of kidnappings previously around the area that are not reported.
His words: “The mood in the town is quiet as well as activated because the police, vigilantes, and hunters are working together on the issue. They combed the bush till midnight on Saturday and resumed Sunday morning. I hear there had been a similar attempt in Delta State by bandits from another part of the country, which was repelled. The attack took everyone by surprise and it happened at about 4 pm when the train was being expected.
He disclosed that “The security agencies are working to rescue those people, and information has it that they also shot people who sustained injuries.
“We are still trying to find out if our people were kidnapped or shot. Some people might probably be in hospitals but we are still trying to get details of what happened. No community member has come forward to report the kidnap of their family members.
“The other thing is that when these people are traveling, you don’t know if they are traveling by road or rail. Though concerned citizens have been coming to me to give information about the abduction. The council representatives have been with me to see how they can mobilize more vigilantes and hunters.
“A pursuit is going on and it is when they settle down that the gunmen can contact the family of those abducted,” the royal father added.