By Damilare Adeleye
Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of four officers of the command in the bank robbery operation that took place in the Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, according to the police, also claimed an unspecified number of bank customers.
Earlier on Friday, the armed men stormed the area and invaded the Otukpo Divisional Police where officers were gunned down before carting away with items suspected to be weapons and heading for the banks.
Videos on the internet shared by eyewitnesses showed the assailants leaving the Police Division on a white Hilux. Subsequent videos also showed two female officers in the police station in a pool of blood.
The armed robbers also invaded Access, First, Zenith, UBA and Stanbic Bank simultaneously during the operation, reportedly taking away large amount of money.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, the command said, “The Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, SP. John Adikwu and other Police teams in the area engaged them in a gun dwell but were unable to prevent their attack on the banks.”
SP Catherine Anene, command’s spokesperson, noted that more police teams in collaboration with other security agents were deployed to Otukpo to assist in stabilising the area.
“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.
“The DPO 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 in the bank have been moved to the hospital for treatment.
“Investigation is ongoing at the moment,” the police said.