Along the Otukpo-Taraku route in Benue State on Saturday, Joint Security Forces made four arrests of suspected armed robbers. These forces included members of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Late Saturday night, a police source shared a video of the armed robbery suspects and announced the development.
“Joint Security Forces detained four armed robbers on Saturday along the Otukpo-Taraku road in Benue State. The criminals are among the armed robbers who carried out yesterday’s bank and police station attacks in Otukpo, Benue State, the source said.
When reached on Saturday night, SP Catherine Anene, the public relations officer for the Benue State Police, repeatedly emphasised the need to hold off until the investigation team had finished their work.
She said in a covert SMS exchange, “Please let’s allow them to finish their investigation and report.”
The Nigeria Police Force previously disclosed that two suspects were murdered following a chase of armed robbers who on Friday in Benue State looted a bank, stormed a police station, and killed several police personnel.
Recall that the brutal Friday afternoon bank heist in Otukpo town claimed the lives of Chief Superintendent John Adikwu, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Otukpo, three other police personnel, and three civilians.
Following the event, the police high command announced on Saturday that it has also started a thorough and well-organized endeavour to identify and bring the offenders to justice.
In order to help in the prompt capture of the other eluding criminals guilty for the incidents, IG Olukayode Egbetokun ordered the deployment of additional operational and investigative assets and resources to Otukpo, the Benue State Command, and neighbouring states.
In order to prevent further deadly attacks on institutions and innocent people, Egbetokun has also placed all police commands and formations on red alert. He also noted that the Otukpo attack was an early warning sign of the ember month challenges, which are frequently characterised by bank robberies and other related crimes.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Saturday by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force’s public relations officer.
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The recent armed bank robbery in Otukpo, Benue State, which tragically resulted in the deaths of both police officers and unarmed people, is highly condemned by the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, Adejobi stated. The Nigeria Police Force and other security organisations work relentlessly to defend the values of peace, security, and justice, but this act of violence is an assault on those values.
“The IGP expresses his deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims who were impacted by this senseless act of violence. He mentioned that two of the suspects were shot dead by agents while trying to flee, adding that the perpetrators of this heinous crime have truly “murdered sleep” because their actions have rocked the Otukpo community to its core. He reassured the public that every resource and effort will be devoted to making sure that these people are quickly apprehended and brought to justice.
“In reaction to this tragic tragedy, the Nigeria Police Force has launched an extensive and well-coordinated operation to apprehend those responsible for this horrific crime. As a follow-up to the shooting down of two of the armed robbers after a tense chase on Friday, the IGP has ordered the deployment of additional operational and investigative assets and resources to Otukpo, the Benue State Command, and neighbouring states to aid in the prompt capture of the other fleeing criminals responsible for this atrocity.
The Otukpo attack was an early warning sign of the Ember Month challenges, which are frequently characterised by bank robberies and other related crimes. In the same vein, in light of this incident, the IGP has placed all Commands and Formations on red alert to prevent any further deadly attacks on our institutions and innocent citizens of Nigeria.
“Therefore, we urge the general people to exercise restraint and assist the law enforcement by sharing any information that may be useful in the investigation and pursuit of the suspects. Your help is crucial to our mission to restore safety and security throughout Nigeria, including in the impacted area.
“In the aftermath of this tragedy, the IGP reiterates the NPF’s commitment to the safety and security of the Nigerian people, standing united against acts of violence and criminality and promising to work tirelessly to ensure that those accountable for this reprehensible act are brought to justice.”
(PUNCH)
