By Augustine Aminu
The House of Representatives Tuesday condemned in strong terms the gruesome and brutal killing of security personnel, bank officials and members of Otukpo community in Benue state by daredevil armed robbers.
The House also resolved to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the robbery even as it urged the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the heinous act.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion or urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. Blessing Onuh (APC, Benue).
In adopting the motion, the House also advise the government to as a matter of urgency increase the security architecture within the town and its environs to prevent recurrence.
The house also observed a minute silence in honour of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) other security personnel and civilians who lost their lives during the attack.
Presenting the motion, Onuh noted that the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of it’s citizens.
She informed her colleagues that on Friday, 20th October, 2023 at about 3pm, Otukpo a relatively peaceful town in Benue State was invaded by heavily armed gunmen numbering over twenty.
“These gunmen held the community under siege for over two hours. They wrecked havoc using rocket launcher, dynamites, AK47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons.
“Aware that these yet to be identified gunmen started their killing spray by attacking the vigilante group, which is the first line in the homeland security. They thereafter proceeded to the Otukpo Police Station, killing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and three other female police officers”, Onuh revealed..
According to her, “While the attack on the police station was ongoing, other members of the gang were busy attacking four commercial banks simultaneously, killing and carting away huge sums of money.
“Also aware that the banks attacked were, Stanbic IBTC, Zenith, UBA and First Bank. Several persons were killed in the bank premises and many others sustained gunshot injuries”
She expressed concern that residents of the town are currently feeling traumatised by last Friday’s incident and are greatly feeling unsafe adding that the security architecture of Otukpo community, particularly the police and vigilante are badly demoralised.
“More worrisome, is that the commercial and business activities are currently halted in Otukpo and Benue South as a whole. Banks and other commercial institutions have completely shut down operations”, she submitted.
The motion was unanimously adopted after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put it to a voice vote.