2 Village Heads And 5 Other People Were Detained After The Assault On The Edo Train.

In relation to the train assault on January 7 that led in the kidnapping of 20 people at the Igueben railway station, the Edo Government has verified the arrest of two village heads.

This was said by Chris Nehikhare, the state’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, to reporters immediately after the state executive council meeting on Wednesday in Benin.

Nehikhare said that seven further individuals had been detained in connection with the event and that security personnel had also freed the two captive passengers.

Five people, including two village heads, have been detained in connection with the event and are assisting with the inquiry, according to him.

Speaking about the Lassa virus epidemic in the state, Nehikhare said that despite repeated requests for assistance from the federal government, neither it nor its agencies had mobilized to the region.

“Since the outbreak in the state, over 50 people have had Lassa fever; our death rate is 5%, which is extraordinarily high when compared to COVID-19.

“The federal government has rejected every request and appeal.

“To intervene in the infectious illness in our state, we are forced to contact the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international agencies.

“We have addressed letters to the Ministry of Health, National Center for Illness Control (NCDC), and all the persons concerned in sickness problem to come and assist us combat this disease, but regrettably they have declined to come to our aid,” he stated.