Edo Police Command says it has obtained an ex parte order granting the police permission to further detain suspects arrested over the train attack that occurred in the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Spokesperson of the Edo Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor said the ex parte application was necessary in order to give the police time to complete their investigation.
He dispelled rumours that the trial of the suspect had commenced.
“Exparte order is an order of the court that enables the police investigators to extend the detention of a suspect(s) for a period of 14 days to enable them to meet with exegesis,” he explained.
On the 7th of January, gunmen kidnapped passengers waiting to board a train to Warri in Delta state at the Igueben Train Station.
At least 30 people were reportedly kidnapped, however Chris Nehikhare, the State’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, later said an intelligence report showed that 20 persons were abducted.
Many of the travellers also sustained injuries from gunshots fired by the attackers.
The suspects, including two village chiefs, allegedly conspired within themselves to “commit felony by wit” punishable under the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law of the state.
The eight suspects are Ighoko Mustapher Odion,62; Okojie Dominic Ewa, 58; Ojie Patrick, 42; Friday Ighedujiemu, 51; Ibadin Hamilton, 59; Halilu Umaru, 28; Aminu Ibrahim, 25 and Isah Aliyu, 25.
