Police operatives of the Intelligence Response Team and Special Tactical Squad deployed to assist the Police Command in Benue State in carrying out a manhunt for criminal elements have gunned down five suspects who participated in a deadly bank robbery in Otukpo.
During a gun battle at the criminal’s hideout in Taraku village, Buruku Local Government Area of the state, the police operatives arrested four suspects, who also participated in the robbery, with nine AK-47 rifles recovered after the encounter.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, supported by the Commander of IRT, DCP Ahmed Sani made this known during a parade of kidnappers, armed robbery, car thieves and drug traffickers in Abuja.
He said: “They all confessed to committing the heinous act and linked other gang members, who are at large and have also named Terzungwe Shionda aka ‘3-star general’ (now late), Terlumum Pila and one Ayuko both at large, to be the ones supplying them arms on loan for their operations.”
Adejobi said the successful operation in Benue State is part of the sustained efforts of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to curb crimes and criminality across the country.
He said the Police recovered 5,454 rounds of live ammunition of different calibre, 300 live cartridges, 50 empty shells of ammunition, 68 rifles, and 33 different ATM cards amongst others.
“Prominent amongst these achievements is the arrest of three suspects who are members of a gunrunning syndicate in connection with the Christmas eve attack on some villages in Plateau State,” he said.
