House of Reps also urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the robbery
By Kehinde Okeowo
The House of Representatives has condemned the recent armed robbery attack in Otukpo, Benue State and resolved to investigate the root causes.
This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on Tuesday by the member representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency, Blessing Onuh.
TheNiche had earlier reported that dare devil suspected armed robbers numbering over 20 on Friday, October 20, invaded Otukpo, a relatively peaceful town in Benue State, killing about eight people.
Presenting the motion in the Green Chamber, Onuh said that the primary purpose of the government was the security and welfare of the citizens.
She went on to say the armed gang held the community under siege for over two hours, wreaking havoc on the community using rocket launchers, dynamites, AK-47 rifles, and other sophisticated weapons.
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The House of Rep member further noted the armed robbers started by attacking the vigilance group, which was the first line of homeland security, before proceeding to the Otukpo police station, killing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and three other female police officers.
Speaking on the floor of the house, Onuh said: “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.
“Several people were killed on the bank premises and many others sustained gunshot injuries. ”
She also stressed that the residents were traumatised by the attack, as they felt unsafe even after the robbery.
Reacting to the motion, the House of Rep unanimously condemned the robbery and the killing that took place during the incident and resolved to investigate it.
The lower chamber of the legislative arm also urged the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to make efforts to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the robbery.
It further urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, deploy additional security agents to secure the town and its environs to prevent the recurrence.
