Some people, including a Divisional Police Officer and three other policemen, were killed on Friday, October 20, 2023, when armed robbers stormed five commercial banks in Otukpo, Benue State at about 4:15pm.
Thenewsbearer learnt that the banks invaded simultaneously in Otukpo included two old and three new generation banks.
An eyewitness said that the armed robbers arrived at the banks in two Hilux vans and one other vehicle armed with sophisticated weapons.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the incident on Saturday, October 21, gave the name of the DPO as CSP John Adikwu, adding that other police teams in the area engaged the armed robbers in a gun duel but were unable to prevent their attack on the banks.
According to the PPRO, “more police teams, in collaboration with other security agents, were deployed to Otukpo to assist in stabilising the area and preventing 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 were chased by the police.”
She stated that the DPO who sustained a gunshot injury on his stomach and three other police officers had 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,” Anene added.
