The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered police operatives to comb Benue State and other neighbouring states in search of the fleeing armed robbers that raided some banks in the Otukpo area of the State.
Police operatives in Benue State had intercepted and killed two of the fleeing robbers on Friday evening.
The robbers, who were armed to the teeth, raided five commercial banks – First Bank, United Bank for Africa, Zenith Bank, Access and Stanbic Bank – on Friday evening and carted away an unspecified amount of money.
During the operation, the robbers also killed four policemen and about three other civilians.
While condemning the incident and killing of police officers, the Inspector-General of Police described the act as an “assault on the principles of peace, security, and justice that the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies work tirelessly to uphold.”
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police authorities disclosed that it has initiated a comprehensive and coordinated effort to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The efforts include the deployment of additional operational and investigative assets and resources to Otukpo, the Benue State Command, and surrounding states to assist in the swift apprehension of the other fleeing robbers.
The statement explained that the IGP extended his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims who were affected by the incident.
The IGP also noted that the assailants have indeed “murdered sleep” in the state as their actions have shaken the Otukpo community to its core while assuring the public that every resource and effort would be dedicated to ensuring that these individuals were swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
The statement further revealed that the IGP has put all commands and formations on red alert to avert any further deadly attacks in the country, adding that the Otukpo attack was an early warning sign of the Ember Month challenges which was often characterised by bank robbery and other related crimes.
In a separate statement, the Benue State Police Command said its operatives intercepted and killed two of the fleeing robbers along Otukpo-Taraku road.
The statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, on Saturday, disclosed that four police officers, including the Otukpo divisional police officer were killed when security agents engaged the robbers in a gun duel during the robbery incident.
“The Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, CSP John Adikwu, and other police teams in the area engaged them in a gun duel but were unable to prevent their attack on the banks.
“More police teams in collaboration with other security agents were deployed to Otukpo to assist in stabilising the area and prevent these robbers from escaping.
“The robbers who were intercepted along Otukpo-Taraku road engaged officers in a gun duel and two of the robbers died in the process.
“Other gang members abandoned their vehicles and escaped into the forest area and are being chased by the police.
“The DPO who sustained a gunshot injury in his stomach and three other police officers have been confirmed dead at the hospital.
“Other persons who sustained injuries in the bank have been moved to the hospital for treatment. Investigation is ongoing at the moment,” the statement read.