…Parades other categories of suspects
BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Benin City, Nigeria – Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Dankwara has insisted that the identities of the three traditional rulers and others arrested in connection with the recent Igueben train station attack would not be revealed until ongoing investigation is concluded.
The police chief who classified the suspects as “high profile” stated on Wednesday, while briefing the press that three additional persons have been apprehended in relation to the attack.
He did not also reveal their identities and the roles they played in the crime.
“Well, it is true, we have a high profile people with us with the other people that we have arrested but it will be premature now for me to speak on that since we are still in the investigation stage.
“Like yesterday (Tuesday, January 24), we arrested additional three, those that partook in that train attack.
“So it will be unwise on my part now to begin to divulge those security information”, he said.
Meanwhile, unlike the “high profile” suspects, the CP paraded other suspects said to have been arrested for various criminal offences committed in Edo since his assumption of duty in the state, last October.
The CP said that the suspects were arrested for kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, fraud, stealing, gun running and murder.
Items said to have been recovered from them included five AK-47 riffles, 105 cartridges, seven live ammunition, 10 vehicles and the sum of N1.2 million.
He said those suspects paraded would be arraigned on conclusion of ongoing investigations.
CP Mohammed Dankwara stated that the police command has extended its dragnet towards tracking all those involved in the Igueben train station attack.
He however warned unrepentant criminals to relocate from Edo State as security has been beefed up in the instate.
“My clarion call to criminals in the state is that they should either repent and sin no more or relocate from the state or we shall make Edo State too hot for them to operate in.
“We are also committed to making sure that the rights of people are upheld, ensure their liberty within the confine of the law and make sure they go about their normal businesses without fear and intimidation,” he maintained.
It would be recalled that gunmen stormed a sub train station at Igueben in Igueben local government area of Edo State and abducted no fewer than 20 passengers waiting to board a train to Warri in Delta State on Saturday, January 7, 2023.
Days after, the Edo State government-sponsored joint security forces secured in batches the release of the abductees amidst arrests of some suspects.
Among the suspects were two traditional rulers in Igueben local government area of Edo State and five others.
The Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare announced this to journalists in Benin City on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
“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”, Mr. Nehikhare said.
