Otukpo Bank Heist: DPO, three policemen killed in violent showdown
The police in Benue State have confirmed the tragic killing of the Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, John Adikwu, and three other officers during a violent encounter with bank robbers.
The criminals, who also claimed the lives of several innocent bystanders, wreaked havoc both within and outside the bank premises.
SP Sewuese Anene, the spokesperson for the police command, released a press statement on Saturday, October 21, 2023, to provide details of the incident.
She reported that two of the bank robbers met their demise in the fierce gunfight that ensued when a team of security reinforcements arrived on the scene along the Otukpo/Taraku Federal Highway. Many of the remaining assailants managed to escape into the nearby forest.
SP Anene also noted that the police are actively pursuing the remaining suspects with the aim of bringing them to justice.
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In a devastating turn of events, Channels Television reported that ten individuals lost their lives during the brazen bank robbery in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday.
The audacious robbers operated unhindered for two hours, and it is reported that no immediate challenge was mounted by security forces.
According to sources in Otukpo, the robbers, numbering several, launched simultaneous attacks on five commercial banks, most of which were located in close proximity to the Divisional Police Headquarters.
Meanwhile, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State strongly condemned the armed robbery attacks.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Alia, Tersoo Kulo, the governor described the robbery as a blatant affront to the state, especially considering that it occurred precisely while the Security Council meeting was underway at Government House Makurdi.
Governor Alia expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives in this gruesome act of violence at the hands of the robbers during the heist.
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