On Friday, armed robbers broke into three banks in Otukpo, Benue State, and stole an undisclosed quantity of money.
Around 3:15 pm, the robbers allegedly drove into the town and used dynamite to smash open the door.
The alleged thieves reportedly killed seven people as they were conducting business at one of the impacted banks, including police officers and a former councillor.
Idoma and Igede people make up Otukpo, the political center of the Benue South senatorial district.
The criminals attacked the police station first before moving on to the banks, according to an eyewitness who runs a company adjacent to one of the banks.
According to the informant, “It was random gunfire that informed residents and bystanders of the presence of the suspected robbers. Everyone sprinted for cover. They began by attacking the police station close to the three banks.
Security personnel offered little resistance to the robbers during their more than hour-long operation, and they killed two persons.
According to the witnesses, the bandits fled in two Hilux vehicles, a car, and naira bills were thrown into the air.
When reached, SP Catherine Anene, the police public relations officer for the Benue State Command, verified the robbery occurrence but claimed she hadn’t yet heard from the officers in Otukpo.
Anene said, “I know there was an incident, but I haven’t been able to communicate with the DPO (Divisional Police Officer) or any of the cops there. Let’s give it some time so that I don’t disturb them.