The inspector-general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the Benue State commissioner of police to ensure that all those involved in the bank robbery at Otukpo on Friday are brought to book.
He condemned the robbery which resulted in the loss of lives of police officers including the divisional police officer in Otukpo, Mr John Adikwu and innocent civilians.
The IGP said: “This act of violence is an assault on the principles of peace, security and justice.”
He extended condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
He said two of the armed robbers were killed by operatives while attempting to escape.
He assured the public that every resource and effort would be dedicated to ensuring that they are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in response to the incident, the Nigeria Police Force has initiated a comprehensive and coordinated effort to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He said the IGP had ordered the deployment of additional operational and investigative assets and resources to Otukpo and surrounding states to assist in the swift apprehension of the other fleeing criminals as a follow up to the killing of two of them after a hot chase on Friday.
In the same vein, going by this incident, the IGP has put all commands and formations on red alert to avert any further attacks on institutions and innocent citizens, describing the Otukpo attack as an early warning sign of the Ember months challenges which are often characterised by bank robberies and other related crimes.
Meanwhile, the police in Benue have confirmed the death of the divisional police officer in charge of Otukpo, CSP John Adikwu and three other officers in the Friday attack.
Command spokesperson Catherine Anene who confirmed the incident said she was however yet to get the official casualty figure.
She disclosed that the robbers were intercepted along Otukpo-Taraku road after they engaged officers in a gun duel and two of them died in the process, and other gang members abandoned their vehicles and escaped into the forest and are being traced by the police.
The armed robbers invaded Access, First, Zenith, UBA and Stanbic banks in Otukpo simultaneously.
She said the DPO, CSP Adikwu and others had engaged the robbers in a gun dwell but were unable to prevent the attack.
She added; “The DPO who sustained gunshot injuries on his stomach and three other police officers were confirmed dead at the hospital, while other persons who sustained injuries in the bank were moved to a hospital for treatment.”
Anene, who described Adikwu as a highly experienced officer, said he was transferred to Otukpo only a few months ago.
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