Gunmen who attacked the Igueben train station in Edo State on Saturday and kidnapped 31 passengers have reportedly demanded N620 million for their release.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director of Esan Youth for Good Governance and Social Justice, Benson Odia, on Monday.

Odia said the kidnappers had contacted some families of the victims and demanded N20 million for each person.

He described the demand as absurd and appealed to the authorities to intensify efforts at rescuing those still being held captive by the gunmen.

“I can tell you that the kidnappers have demanded N20 million, totalling N620 million. This is absurd and I don’t know where poor people will be able to raise that amount of money,” Odia said.

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However, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, said he would confirm the veracity of the claim.

The Edo State Government had earlier said six out of the 31 victims kidnapped during the attack have been rescued, adding that two suspects on the wanted list of the police have been arrested.

The Star had reported that the passengers were waiting for a train from Igueben to Warri when the kidnappers struck, abducted the travellers, and left many injured on Saturday evening.

Gunmen, on Monday, also abducted the President of Igueben Area Customary Court in Edo State, Precious Aigbonoga, in the Igueben Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that Aigbonoga was kidnapped around Ugoneki axis on her way to the court in Igueben LGA.

A former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Festus Edughele, was also kidnapped on Monday morning at Ubiaja while on his way from Orhionmwon to board a plane in Benin, the state capital, to Abuja.

The Star