Three banks in the Otukpo vicinity of Benue State were besieged by audacious armed robbers on Friday, who managed to make off with a substantial amount of money, estimated to tally up to several millions of naira.
Eyewitnesses said that the suspected robbers arrived in the town at 3:15 p.m. and resorted to using dynamite to gain unauthorized access through the door.
During the operation lasting more than an hour, the alleged robbers reportedly killed seven people, among them policemen and a former councillor engaged in transactions at one of the targeted banks.
Otukpo, located within the Benue South Senatorial District, stands as the political nucleus for the Idoma and Igede ethnic communities.
Sunny, an eyewitness and proprietor of a nearby Point of Sale (PoS) establishment, reported that the robbers initially struck the police station before turning their attention to the banks.
‘It was sporadic gunshots that alerted people and passers to the arrival of the suspected robbers.’
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‘Everyone scampered for safety. What they did was first attack the police station, which is near the three banks.’
‘The banks affected include United Bank for Africa, UBA, Zenith Bank, and First Bank Plc.’
‘The robbers operated for more than an hour without resistance from security operatives, and they killed two people.’
The eyewitness reported that the robbers were observed tossing naira notes as they fled in two Hilux vehicles and a car.
When reached for comment, SP Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Police Command, acknowledged the robbery but mentioned that she had not yet received specifics from the officers in Otukpo.
Anene said, ‘I have not been able to speak with the DPO or any of the officers there, but I know there is an incident. I don’t want to be disturbing them, so let’s give it some time.’