House of Reps takes action over Otukpo robbery incident

The House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards investigating the recent armed robbery in Otukpo, Benue State, which tragically resulted in the deaths of several police officers. This decision follows the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance presented by Blessing Onuh, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) representing Benue State.

During the plenary session held on Tuesday, Onuh emphasized that the primary role of the government is to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens. She provided a harrowing account of the events that unfolded on October 20 in Otukpo, a town previously known for its relative peace.

According to Onuh, the town was invaded by a group of suspected armed gangs numbering over 20, who held the community under siege for more than two hours. The attackers unleashed havoc on the town, employing rocket launchers, dynamites, AK-47 rifles, and other sophisticated weaponry.

The assailants initially targeted the local vigilance group, the first line of homeland security. Subsequently, they attacked the Otukpo police station, resulting in the death of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and three other female police officers.

As the attack on the police station was unfolding, other members of the gang simultaneously assaulted four commercial banks, where they killed several individuals and made off with substantial sums of money. The targeted banks included IBTC, Zenith, UBA, and First Bank.

The House of Representatives unanimously condemned the armed robbery and the loss of life during the incident. They called upon the police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to exert maximum effort to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of the robbery.

Furthermore, the House urged the government to promptly deploy additional security personnel to secure Otukpo and its surroundings, with the aim of preventing a recurrence of such a tragic event. The attack has left the residents deeply traumatized, and their safety and well-being remain a paramount concern in the aftermath of this heinous act.