Cop, security guard killed in Kogi banks robbery – Police

Fresh details that emerged on the robbery attack on two banks in Kogi State last Thursday have revealed that one police officer and one security guard lost their lives during a shootout with armed robbers.

The revelation was made following the visit of the state Commissioner of Police, Bernard Onuoha, to the scene of the crime in Ayingba on Friday.

PUNCH online reported an attack on two banks around 5 pm last Thursday with sporadic gunshots.

An eyewitness account said that the armed robbers, numbering over a dozen, stormed the town to carry out a large-scale robbery on some banks in the area.

A statement issued late Friday by the state police command confirmed the police commissioner's visit where he condemned the attack and also deployed tactical teams to restore normalcy.

The police statement read, “Consequent upon the Ayingba banks robbery as well as the attacks on police stations on Thursday 7/3/2024, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Bethrand C. Onuoha, today, 08/03/2024 visited the scenes for on-the-spot assessment, and vowed that the hoodlums will be apprehended.

“He equally ordered the deployment of tactical teams comprising PMF Personnel, Counter Terrorism, Quick Response and Intelligence Units in synergy with other security agencies to restore normalcy in the area.

“Meanwhile, one police constable paid the supreme price during the exchange of fire with the hoodlums, before the arrival of the reinforced team to the scenes and the attackers fled.”

The Commissioner of Police assured all of the command’s commitment to working in synergy with other security agencies as well as patriotic stakeholders in ensuring that Kogi State is safe and secure for all and sundry.

The CP further urged the people of the state to continue to collaborate with security agencies with credible information on the activities of anyone they reasonably suspect within their neighbourhood.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, explained that the Deputy Commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Department has been directed to commence an investigation into the incident to bring the perpetrators to deserved justice.