The Benue State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the killing of Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, CSP. John Adikwu and three other operatives during the armed robbery incident in banks in Oturkpo town on Friday.
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This is contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP. Catherine Anene.
Anene said that five banks were robbed simultaneously.adding the robbers “engaged officers in a gun duel” resulting in the killing of two robbers while others fled into the forest.
“On 20/10/2023 at about 1615hrs, armed robbers invaded Access, First, Zenith, UBA and Stanbic bank Otukpo simultaneously.
“The Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, CSP. John Adikwu and other Police teams in the area engage them in a gun dwell but were unable to prevent their attack on the banks.
“More police teams in collaboration with other security agents have been deployed to Otukpo to assist in stabilising the area and prevent 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. Other gang members abandoned their vehicles and escaped into the forest area and are been chased by the police.
“The DPO who sustained a gunshot injury on his stomach and three other police officers have been confirmed dead at the hospital. Other persons who sustained injuries in the bank have been moved to the hospital for treatment,”
The PPRO said that investigation into the incident had commenced .