Bloodbath in Benue as robbers raid banks, kill DPO,  3 cops, several persons

The heavily armed men, who came in two Hilux vans and a car on Friday stormed the commercial banks in the town with explosives and sophisticated weapons, killing several persons, comprising police personnel, vigilante members and a local government councillor before carting away large sums of money.

Catherine Anene, Superintendent, SP, the Command spokesperson, in a statement disclosed that security personnel, who pursued the gangsters, successfully intercepted them along the Otupko-Taraku road and forced them to abandon their vehicles and escape into the forest after two of their members were neutralised, following a gun duel with the security operatives.

“On October 20, 2023, at about 4:15 pm, armed robbers invaded  Zenith Bank, Stanbic Bank and three other banks in Otukpo simultaneously,” the statement read.

“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 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.”