The police in Benue State have revealed that the Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, DPO, CSP John Adikwu, together with three police officers and two armed robbers, lost their lives during a gun battle between the police and the armed robbers, News About Nigeria reports.
The robbers were intercepted by the police after reportedly attacking the police station and killing officers in the Otukpo area of Benue State on Friday.
Before attacking the police station, the robbers had raided some banks, including First Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank, Access, and Stanbic Bank, and carted away unverified amounts of money.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, she explained that security operatives intercepted the robbers along Otukpo-Taraku road and killed two of them.
She further stated that the Otukpo Divisional Police Officer and other police teams in the area engaged them in a gun duel but were unable to prevent their attack on the banks.
The statement reads in part, “On 20/10/2023, at about 16:15 hrs, armed robbers invaded Access, First, Zenith, UBA, and Stanbic banks in Otukpo simultaneously.
“More police teams in collaboration with other security agents were deployed to Otukpo to assist in stabilizing 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.
“The DPO, who sustained a gunshot injury in his stomach, and three other police officers have been confirmed dead at the hospital.”
She further revealed that other members of the gang abandoned their vehicles and escaped into the forest but are being chased by the police.
The police spokesperson also noted that other persons who sustained injuries in the bank have been moved to the hospital for treatment, and further investigation is ongoing to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
