According to Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Managing Director, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, the attack on Ekehen train station in the Edo State territory of Igueben Local Government Area will not have an impact on the train operation between Itapkpe and Warri.
The train service will continue to run, he said over the phone, but more security measures would be put in place.
Gunmen assaulted the train station on Saturday night, according to Prime 9ja Online, and an undetermined number of people waiting to board the train to Warri were abducted.
Some passengers were shot during the incident, according to Chidi Nwabuzor, the Police Public Relations Officer.
Early on Sunday morning, Mall. Mua'zu Sambo, the minister of transportation, stopped by the impacted train station.
The minister visited the station to assess the situation, our correspondent learned.
“The Minister’s visit was to get first-hand information, to know how many passengers were kidnapped, how many injured and officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) led by the Managing Director are on the ground,” an official said.
The MD had told our correspondent earlier that the investigation is on to know “how many passengers were involved and other such details,” adding a press statement would be issued.
He also clarified that there was no attack on the train but only the station was attacked.
The latest attack comes about nine months after an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna Train where dozens of passengers were kidnapped, leading to the suspension of the train service.
The train service resumed on December 5, 2022, after the remaining passengers in captivity were released.