The House of Representatives has issued a strong condemnation in response to the horrific and merciless killing of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), security personnel, bank employees, and several other individuals in the Otukpo local government area of Benue State. This tragic incident occurred last Friday, sending shockwaves through the community.
In a unanimous decision, the House called upon the National Security Adviser, Nigerian Police, the Army and various security agencies to exert maximum effort in apprehending and prosecuting those responsible for this atrocious act. Additionally, they urgently urged the government to bolster the security infrastructure in Otukpo town and its surroundings to prevent any potential reoccurrences of such violence.
These resolutions stem from a motion of urgent public importance, which was introduced by Hon. Blessing Onuh, the representative for Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in Benue State. Onuh reported that on Friday, October 20, 2023, at approximately 3 pm, Otukpo, which had enjoyed relative peace, was besieged by a well-armed group of over 20 gunmen. These attackers terrorized the community for over two hours, employing rocket launchers, dynamites, AK47 rifles, and other advanced weaponry.
The assailants initiated their rampage by targeting the local vigilante group, an essential component of homeland security. Subsequently, they launched an assault on the Otukpo Police Station, resulting in the tragic loss of the DPO and three female police officers. During this time, other members of the gang simultaneously assaulted four commercial banks, causing fatalities and making off with substantial sums of money. The banks affected were Stanbic IBTC, Zenith, UBA, and First Bank, with numerous casualties and gunshot injuries within their premises.
The lawmaker expressed profound concern over the trauma experienced by residents in the aftermath of the incident, as they now grapple with a pervasive sense of insecurity. Furthermore, she highlighted the severe demoralization of the security forces in Otukpo, particularly the police and vigilante groups. The disruption of commercial and business activities is also a significant cause for worry, as operations in banks and other commercial institutions have been entirely suspended.
The House, in a solemn moment, observed a minute of silence to honor the memory of the fallen DPO, other courageous security personnel, and the innocent civilians who tragically lost their lives during the brutal attack.
