By Christian Asema
Daredevil armed robbers recently carried out a brazen attack on three banks in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. The incident took place on Friday afternoon when the robbers stormed the town, using dynamites to forcefully gain access to the banks. This audacious operation resulted in the theft of several millions of naira.
During the course of their criminal activity, the suspected robbers tragically took the lives of seven individuals. Among the victims were policemen who were present at the scene, as well as a former councillor who happened to be conducting business in one of the targeted banks. The entire ordeal lasted for over an hour, with the perpetrators operating with impunity.
Otukpo serves as the political seat of Benue South Senatorial District, housing communities predominantly populated by the Idoma and Igede ethnic groups. As eyewitnesses attest, the robbers initiated their spree by attacking the local police station before moving on to carry out their heinous acts at the banks.
One eyewitness, who goes by the name Sunny, operates a Point Of Sales business close to one of the affected banks. Sunny recounted the moment when the robbers arrived, which was marked by a series of sporadic gunshots that rapidly grabbed the attention of passersby and residents. Panic quickly spread as everyone scrambled for safety. Sunny explained that the attackers targeted the nearby police station before proceeding to burglarize the banks.
The financial institutions impacted by the robbery incident include United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank, and First Bank Plc. Shockingly, the robbers faced little resistance from security forces during their extended operation. They acted with impunity for over an hour, seizing the opportunity to create havoc and tragedy. As they fled the scene, the robbers threw naira notes from their vehicles, adding an element of audacity to their criminal act.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, has confirmed the occurrence of the robbery. However, due to the unavailability of detailed information from officers on the ground in Otukpo, she was unable to provide further insights at the time of her statement. SP Anene expressed her intent to avoid distracting the officers from their immediate responsibilities and requested patience in awaiting official updates.
This shocking incident of multiple bank robberies in Benue State highlights the need for enhanced security measures and coordination to effectively combat such criminal activities. The local community and law enforcement agencies must come together to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
