Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says last Saturday’s abduction of train passengers in Edo State was a sad reminder that the country has not completely won the war against insecurity.
Tinubu in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Media Office and signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, added that the latest attack was an indication that there were still some agents of darkness lurking around the corner, but assured that Nigeria would prevail over agents of darkness.
The APC presidential candidate described the abduction of 31 passengers who were waiting to board the train at Igueben Station to Warri as another sad episode in the security challenges facing the country.
He said: “I condemn the mindless attack and abduction of innocent train passengers in Edo State by terrorists on Saturday. From available information, the security agencies are working hard to rescue the victims. I urge more collaborative efforts by the federal government, Edo State government and other local authorities on quick rescue of all the victims.”
Tinubu sympathised with the victims who are still held captive by the attackers and urged the federal government, Edo State government and Local authorities to work with the security agencies on quick action to secure the release of all the victims.
He added: “This occurrence is a sad reminder that we have not completely won the war against insecurity and that there are still some agents of darkness lurking around the corner. But I want to assure Nigerians we will win this war. Evil will not prevail over our country because of our strong determination to exterminate the dark forces everywhere they manifest.”
The former governor of Lagos state said the reason why he was contesting was to improve the current security situation in the country.
According to him, “One of the reasons I am running for the presidency is to improve the security situation and tackle every form of insecurity in our country. We have a clear plan to end violent crimes and terrorism through our Anti-Terrorism Battalion Forces, investment in more security hardware and surveillance technology that will make our streets, neighborhoods and forests safer for socio-economic activities to thrive and bloom.”
Tinubu, therefore, commended the rescue efforts of the security agencies that have led to the arrest of some of the terrorists.
After the kidnap of 32 people from a train station last Saturday, one of the victims on that day escaped.
Also, on Monday, six persons were said to have been rescued, and yesterday afternoon, news of rescue of another victim, a woman was reported by security agencies combing the area.
Although the identity of the woman and the details of how she gained her freedom remained unclear, the police confirmed her release.
When contacted, Nwabuzor said: “Yes, a woman has been rescued making it a total of seven persons that have been rescued so far” adding that details would be giving later.”
Meanwhile, the federal government has disclosed plan to establish the Nigerian Railways and host communities’ security committee as part of measures to curb the incidence of armed attacks on railway infrastructure and passengers in the country.
In the meantime, another victim of the train station abduction has reportedly been rescued.
This brings the number of rescued victims to seven.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed this.