A police source confirmed the arrests to our correspondent late Saturday night while sharing a video of the armed robbers.
Along the Otukpo-Taraku route in Benue State on Saturday, Joint Security Forces made four arrests of suspected armed robbers. These forces included members of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
A police source shared a video of the armed robbery suspects with our journalist late on Saturday night and informed him of the event.
“Joint Security Forces detained four armed robbers on Saturday along the Otukpo-Taraku road in Benue State. The criminals are among the armed robbers who carried out yesterday’s bank and police station attacks in Otukpo, Benue State, the source said.
SP Catherine Anene, the public relations officer for the Benue State Police, advised our correspondent to wait till the investigative team had finished its work when reached on Saturday night.
“Please let’s allow them to finish their investigation and report,” she noted in a tacit SMS exchange.
Earlier, the Nigeria Police Force revealed that two suspects were murdered during a chase of armed bandits who looted a bank, stormed a police station, and killed some police officers on Friday in Benue State.
Chief Superintendent John Adikwu, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Otukpo, three other police officers, and three civilians were killed in the deadly Friday afternoon bank robbery in Otukpo town.
Following the event, the police high command announced on Saturday that it has also launched a comprehensive and coordinated effort to apprehend the offenders.
This came as IG Olukayode Egbetokun directed the deployment of more operational and investigative assets and resources to Otukpo, the Benue State Command, and neighboring states in order to aid in the capture of the other fugitive criminals guilty for the crimes.
Egbetokun has also issued a red alert to all police commands and formations in order to prevent further deadly attacks on institutions and innocent citizens, noting that the Otukpo attack was an early warning sign of the ember month challenges, which are frequently marked by bank robbery and other related crimes.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, stated this in a statement on Saturday.
Adejobi said,
“The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun strongly condemns the recent armed bank robbery in Otukpo, Benue State, which resulted in the tragic loss of lives of both Police Officers and innocent civilians. This act of violence is an assault on the principles of peace, security, and justice that the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies work tirelessly to uphold.
“The IGP extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims who were affected by this senseless act of violence. He noted that two of the suspects were gunned down by operatives while attempting to escape, adding that the assailants who orchestrated this brazen act of criminality have indeed “murdered sleep” as their actions have shaken the Otukpo community to its core, assuring the public that every resource and effort will be dedicated to ensuring that these individuals are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
“In response to this grave incident, the Nigeria Police Force has initiated a comprehensive and coordinated effort to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. The IGP has ordered the deployment of additional operational and investigative assets and resources to Otukpo, the Benue State Command, and surrounding states to assist in the swift apprehension of the other fleeing criminals responsible for this atrocity, as a follow-up to the gunning down of two of the armed robbers after a hot chase on Friday.
“In the same vein, going by this incident, the IGP has put all Commands and Formations on red alert to avert any further deadly attacks on our institutions and innocent citizens of Nigeria more so that the Otukpo attack was an early warning sign of the Ember Month challenges which is often characterised by bank robbery and other related crimes.
“We therefore call upon the public to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities by providing any information that may aid in the investigation and pursuit of the suspects. Your assistance is invaluable in our mission to restore safety and security in the affected area and across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
“In the wake of this tragedy, the IGP reiterates the NPF’s commitment to the safety and security of the Nigerian people, standing united against acts of violence and criminality and vowing to work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for this reprehensible act are brought to justice.”
The Punch