Four Suspected Bandits Shot Dead in Police Clash at Benue Checkpoint
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that four suspected bandits were killed during a gun battle with security operatives at a checkpoint in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Udeme Edet, the incident occurred on Thursday when operatives attached to the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force were carrying out routine stop-and-search duties.
Edet explained that the officers stopped a black Golf 3 vehicle at about 5:00 p.m., but the occupants reportedly resisted inspection and opened fire on the security personnel using AK-47 rifles. The police responded, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire.
At the end of the confrontation, four of the suspects were fatally wounded, while one managed to escape into a nearby bush.
Items recovered at the scene included an AK-47 rifle, a magazine containing 15 rounds of live ammunition, the vehicle used by the suspects, and suspected charms. The police said efforts were ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspect.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, praised the operatives for their professionalism and vigilance. He reaffirmed the command’s determination to combat criminal activities across the state and appealed to residents to continue providing useful information to support security operations.
Comments