Police give update on Otukpo bank robbery, suspects

SP Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Police Command, has provided insights into the recent armed robbery that took place in the Otukpo area of Benue State.

The robbery resulted in the tragic loss of lives, including a divisional police officer and three other officers, as well as at least four civilians.

In an interview with Punch, Anene discussed the response of the police command to the incident, which occurred on October 20, 2023. She explained that the late Divisional Police Officer in Otukpo had requested assistance due to the complexity of the situation.

She said the police command immediately initiated a response by mobilizing officers within the Otukpo Area Command and dispatching reinforcements from other areas within the command.

During the robbery, the criminals divided themselves to strategically engage the police officers at the division, preventing them from interrupting the robbery, while others targeted the banks. A gun battle ensued between the robbers and the police.

Regarding the video showing deceased policewomen, Anene confirmed that three unarmed policewomen were killed during the incident. Those who were armed managed to defend themselves. The robbers shot at the police station from outside and used locally made explosives to distract the police while carrying out the robbery.

Anene mentioned that two of the robbers were shot during the crossfire at the police station but were abandoned by their fleeing accomplices. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with additional security measures and detectives deployed to the area.

She addressed the lack of intelligence regarding the robbers’ presence in Otukpo before the attack, explaining that the police rely on the community to report suspicious activities. The absence of prior information made it challenging for the police to prevent the incident.

Anene refrained from providing details on the arrest of suspected robbers, as the investigation was still ongoing. She acknowledged the statement from the bankers’ committee in Benue State, which announced limited business hours due to insecurity, and assured the public that the police would work to enhance security around banks.

The casualty figures from the robbery stood at four civilians, excluding the police officers who lost their lives. Anene noted that there could be additional casualties not yet accounted for.

The delay in police reinforcement was attributed to the distance between the divisions and the state police headquarters in Makurdi, as well as the poor road conditions. Preventive measures, such as timely reporting of suspicious activities by the community, could have enabled a faster response.

Anene affirmed collaboration between the police and other sister security agencies in the state but emphasized that the capacity of these agencies can vary. She confirmed that the military and other agencies were informed about the situation and were contacted, but the investigation would reveal the specifics of their involvement.

Regarding the interception of the fleeing robbers by the military, Anene deferred to the ongoing investigation for a comprehensive account of the events.