Two village chiefs arrested in Edo in connection with the 7 January terror attack on a train station

The Edo State Government has confirmed the arrest of two village chiefs in connection with the 7 January terror attack on a train station in the state.

The government said the terrorists had kidnapped 20 people who were waiting to board a train at the Igueben train station.

Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in the state, Chris Nehikhare, said this when he briefed reporters shortly after the state Executive Council meeting in Benin on Wednesday.

Mr Nehikhare said seven other suspects had also been arrested in connection with the incident, saying that the two remaining passengers in captivity had also been rescued by 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.

Police in Edo had said that the attack was carried out by “herdsmen”. The state government initially said 31 people were missing after the attack, which led to shutting down of the train station.