Operatives of the Benue State Police Command, on Sunday reportedly killed 14 heavily armed bandits during a gun battle in Katsina- Also Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the gunfight ensued when the bandits attempted to launch an attack on divisional police station in Katsina-Ala town, headquarters of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
It was further gathered from the area that the armed bandits numbering over 50 had driven in Toyota Corolla vehicles popularly known as ‘Duck Nyash’ to the police station where some of their gang members were being detained.
However, the police who apparently were alert and ready for possible invasion by the bandits, promptly engaged them in a gun duel leading to the death of 14 of the attackers.
An eye witness who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the police gunned down over 10 of the bandits while many of them escaped with gun wounds.
“We also heard that two of them were captured alive. The intensity of the gun battle between the police and the armed bandits made residents in Katsina-Ala to run into hiding for several hours”.
When contacted, spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Catherine Anene who confirmed the report, said 14 of the bandits were gunned down by the Police during the attempted attack.
“It is no longer news that series of operations are going on in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. These activities are geared towards a total clamp down on bandits activities in the area.
“On 19th June, 2021 five bandits were arrested and detained at Kastina-Ala Police Division for investigation and prosecution. On 20th June, 2021 at about 0130hrs more than 50 other gang members of the detainees mobilized and invaded the police station to rescue their counterparts.
“Officers at the division who were already at alert engaged them in a gun duel and were able to subdue the bandits. Fourteen (14) of them were brought down during the exchange of fire while several others escaped with gunshot injuries”, Anene said in a statement on Sunday.
She said security operatives in the area were currently on the trail of suspected armed bandits who are now at large, adding, “The good people of Kastina-Ala town are advised to remain calm and avail every useful information about the bandits to the police”.
