NO SECURITY PERSONNEL WERE KILLED DURING THE TRAIN RESCUE MISSION, ACCORDING TO THE EDO GOVERNMENT.

Chris Nehikhare, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, stated that the state government and security operatives who rescued the kidnapped magistrate did not lose anyone in the line of duty.

Rather, he stated that DSP Adams Michael, one of the police officers involved in the rescue operation, died of “natural causes” following the operation.

“After a good job,” Nehikhare said, “our gallant police officers rescued the magistrate who was kidnapped a few days ago.”

He was also disturbed to learn that the Bayelsa State-born father of two children assigned to the anti-kidnapping squad was killed by bullets fired in a crossfire.

“That is not correct. He was one of those who took part in the operation, and after it was successful, he died of natural causes. He was not shot, and he did not die at the scene of the operation.

“The state government, led by the deputy governor (Comrade Philip Shaibu), and all the service chiefs – Commissioner of Police, Airforce, Army, and DSS – paid a condolence visit to his widow and children this afternoon.

“We are particularly proud of this young officer, the way he conducted the operation and the victim was successfully extracted and the kidnappers were also neutralised. “No one from our team was hurt during the operation,” Nehikhare said.

“I am also pleased to report that two more victims have been rescued from the Igueben train station issue,” he said of the abduction at the Igueben train station. They were rescued early yesterday morning.

“The operation is still ongoing, and we want to reassure Edo people that we’re going to make Edo State very uncomfortable for kidnappers, bandits, or whatever nomenclature you want to use. We will not allow them to set up camp in Edo.”