Three dead as Police, bandits exchange bullets in Benue

Police in Benue State have killed three armed bandits in an exchange of gunfire at Tomatar forest in Imande Ukusuu Mbacher Council ward of Kastina-Ala Local Government Area in the state.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene, disclosed this in a statement made available to our correspondent in Makurdi.

Anene stated, “On 28th April 2021 at about 0200hrs, an identified bandits camp at a forest in Tomatar Imande Ukusuu Mbacher Council ward, Kastina-Ala Local Government Area was raided by operatives of Benue state Police command.

“During the operation, there was a prolonged exchange of gunfire between the police and bandits. Consequently, three of the bandits were arrested with bullet wounds while other suspects fled with injuries.

“The injured suspects were rushed to hospital but confirmed dead by the doctors. Corpses of the deceased have been deposited at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.”

She listed exhibits recovered from the suspects to include; two AK47 riffles loaded with 29 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, cutlasses, a bunch of substances suspected to be charms and knives.

Anene said effort was on going to arrest fleeing suspects, adding that the command calls on the people Sankara to cooperate with the police by providing any useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects at large.