DPO, three officers, two robbery suspects killed during Otukpo bank heist: Police
The police command in Benue said it has killed two armed robbers suspected to be behind the robbery attacks on five banks in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
SP Sewuese Anene, police public relations officer (PPRO) of the command, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Makurdi
She explained that a gang of armed robbers in a coordinated operation on Friday attacked branches of five different banks in Otukpo town.
The PPRO listed the affected banks to include, Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Stanbic IBTC Bank.
She said that men of the command engaged the suspects in a gun battle along Otukpo-Taraku road, adding that it neutralised two of the suspects in the process.
Ms Anene added that other members of the criminal gang abandoned their vehicles and ran into the bush.
“The Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, CSP John Adikwu and his team in the area engaged the suspected robbers in a gun duel but were unable to prevent them from attacking the banks.
“More police teams in collaboration with other security agents were later deployed to Otukpo to assist in stabilising the area and prevent these robbers from escaping.
“The robbers were later intercepted along Otukpo-Taraku road by our men and engaged them in a gun duel.
”Two of the robbers died in the process, but other members of the gang abandoned their vehicles and escaped into the forest.
”We are still going after them,” she said.
Ms Anene confirmed that the suspected criminals killed four police personnel during the robbery operation.
“Our DPO in Otukpo who sustained a gunshot injury on his stomach and three other police officers have been confirmed dead at the hospital.
”Other persons who sustained injuries during the operation are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
”Investigation is still ongoing to unravel all those involved in the criminal act”, she said.
The suspected robbers carried out their nefarious activities in the banks for about two hours uninterrupted.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
ADC reaffirms confidence in Adamawa governorship candidate
Adamawa ADC passed d a vote of confidence in its governorship candidate, Omar Suleiman, ahead of 2027.
Heading 1
2027: Opposition not in disarray, we’re on top of our game, ex-presidential candidate Onovo says
Mr Onovo said the opposition was ahead of the ruling party despite the crisis over their candidacies on various political platforms.
NationWide
Troops rescue seven kidnap victims, kill two kidnappers
The troops also recovered arms, ammunition and other items in coordinated operations across Borno, Yobe, Benue and Plateau states.
Economy
Fuel price uncertainty forced marketers to halt supply temporarily: IPMAN
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says uncertainty over petrol prices has forced many marketers to halt fresh purchases, leading to the temporary closure of some filling
Economy
Tinubu committed to investment in renewable energy, says presidential aides
He said Mr Tinubu is committed to investments in renewable energy development, human capital empowerment, clean energy innovation, and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.
Agriculture
Flooding may raise vegetable prices, Lagos farmers warn
“If we sold vegetables at lower prices before, they will now become more expensive because farmers must recover their losses,” she said.
