Three police officers, DPO killed in robbery attack

On Saturday, more information about the robbery that occurred in the Benue State community of Otukpo on Friday became available.

In the town, armed bandits had broken into many banks and killed several people. On Saturday, information came to light that those killed included John Adikwu, the divisional police officer for Otukpo, as well as three female officers who were stationed at the station's gate.

Before attacking the banks, the thieves had visited the officers and killed a few of them, according to Saturday PUNCH. UBA, First Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, and Stanbic IBTC Bank were the banks raided, and at least 12 individuals were reportedly slain in the course of the operation.

According to reports, one of the banks' employees was also slain. The employee, who has been named Uche, reportedly finished his National Youth Service Corps programme earlier this year and obtained employment at the bank, where he started back up around a week ago.

According to reports, five people who were hurt are now undergoing medical care.

On Saturday, information was received that the armed robbers arrived in large groups and set up shop in groups of four at each bank.

An eyewitness who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity said, “The operation appeared like what was well planned and executed. Each of the banks had four people attached to it, while one was outside, shooting indiscriminately. Three were inside, carrying out the operation.”

The eyewitness stated that a group of three robbers was attached to the police station, adding, “As soon as they (robbers) came, they shot and killed the three female police officers at the entrance of the station.

“One of the robbers manned the entrance of the station shooting indiscriminately while two others went into the station where they shot the DPO.”

Gunshots could be heard all throughout the operation, according to the eyewitness.

According to reports, soldiers at the military barracks on Otukpo/Taraku Road stopped the robbers and murdered two of them.

Unconfirmed rumours also claimed that four of the thieves on the run had been apprehended.

Source