Yenagoa train station kidnapping
| Yenagoa train station kidnapping | |
|---|---|
| Part of Nigerian bandit conflict | |
| Location | Yenagoa, Edo State, Nigeria |
| Date | January 7, 2023 |
| Injured | Unknown |
| Victims | 32 kidnapped |
| Perpetrator | Fulani herdsmen |
On January 7, 2023, thirty-two people were kidnapped by bandits at a train station in Yenagoa, Edo State, Nigeria. All were freed on January 17.
Prelude
Kidnapping for ransom is a common tactic used by gangs across Nigeria, although is usually relegated to the north of the country around Kaduna State.[1] Edo State, in southern Nigeria, took legal measures to prevent kidnapping in the 2010s after several high-ranking judges were kidnapped, although kidnappings continued throughout the state at a lower level.[2] In the run-up to the 2023 Nigerian presidential election, southern and southeastern Nigeria was embroiled in political violence, with Edo State consumed as well.[3][4]
Kidnapping
The kidnappers came out of the bush near the train station around twenty minutes before a train headed to Warri was set to arrive.[5] As they came out of the bush, the kidnappers shot into the air, injuring some civilians. They then abducted thirty-two people, including the station manager and clerk.[6] Survivors blamed the lack of security at the station for the success of the attack.[6] One woman managed to escape the kidnapping with her baby, and later two children abducted in the attack were dropped off at a nearby gas station with their parents contacted.[6]
The Edo State police commissioner alleged the perpetrators to be Fulani herdsmen.[6]
Aftermath
By January 17, all of the abductees had been rescued by Nigerian authorities. Two village chiefs and five kidnappers were arrested and charged for the kidnapping.[7]
References
- ^ Peltier, Elian (2023-02-24). "Ahead of Crucial Election, Security Crises and Kidnappings Plague Nigeria". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
- ^ Mofoluwawo, Oluwapelumi Mojolaoluwa (January 9, 2019). "Curbing the Menace of Kidnapping in Edo State: The Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law 2013 to the Rescue". Social Security Research Network. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Serwat, Andrea Carboni, Ladd (2023-02-22). "Political Violence and the 2023 Nigerian Election". ACLED. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ ACLED-CDD (2023-01-19). "Nigeria Election Violence Tracker | Situation Summary: 13 December 2022-15 January 2023". ACLED. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
- ^ "Armed group abducts 32 people from southern Nigeria train station". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
- ^ a b c d Aliu, Ozioruva; Ukanwa, Ezra (January 9, 2023). "Edo train kidnap: Terrorists struck because there's no security in station —Witnesses". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ^ Sanusi, Abiodun (2023-01-22). "BREAKING: Eight Edo train attack suspects charged with kidnapping". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-11-27.