House Urges Police, DSS, Others to Arrest, Prosecute Perpetrators of Benue Robbery Attack

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives yesterday called on the police, Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, make efforts to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the robbery attack that took place last week in Otukpo, Benue state.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion on the urgent need to investigate the robbery attack and gruesome killings of police officers and citizens of Otukpo community in Benue State moved at the plenary by  Hon. Blessing Onuh.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker said that the primary purpose of the government remains the security and welfare of its citizens.

She recalled  that on Friday October 20, 2023 at about 3pm, Otukpo, a relatively peaceful town in Benue State was invaded by heavily armed gunmen numbering over 20.

Onuh noted that the gunmen held the community under siege for over two hours and wreaked havoc using rocket launchers, dynamite, AK 47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons.

She stressed that the yet to be identified gunmen started their killing spree by attacking the vigilance group which is the first line in the homeland security.

Onuh added that they thereafter proceeded to the Otukpo Police Station, killing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and three other female police officers.

She stressed that 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, while  many  sustained gunshot injuries.

She expressed concern that the residents are currently feeling traumatised by last Friday’s incident and are greatly feeling unsafe.

Onuh expressed worry that the security architecture of Otukpo Community, particularly the police and vigilance groups were badly demoralised.

She said more worrisome, was that the commercial and business activities are currently paralysed in Otukpo and Benue South as a whole, as banks and other commercial institutions have completely shut down operations.

 “The Nigerian police, DSS and other security agencies as a matter of urgency, should make efforts to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of this heinous act.

“Government should as a matter of urgency increase the security architecture within the town and its environs to prevent recurrence. The House should set up a committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the incident,” the House resolved.