Fourteen armed bandits were gunned down by security operatives during a gun duel in Katsina-Ala town, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The armed bandits were reported to have met their Waterloo, on Sunday, when they stormed a police station in the town where some of the bandits were being detained.
According to a source, the bandits numbering about 50 had driven in Toyota Corolla vehicles to the police station, the police engaged them killing over 10 bandits, captured two alive, while most of them escaped with injuries.
“We started hearing gunshots around 1:30 am today (Sunday) around the police station in Katsina-Ala town, everybody in the neighbourhood was woken up with the sporadic gunshots and praying to God.
“It was around 5:00am that some leaders in the area visited the station after they had contacted the Divisional Police Officer, DPO.
”Surprisingly, the police gunned down over 10 of these bandits while many of them escaped with gun wounds. We also heard that two of them were captured alive”.
The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Catherine Anene confirmed the report and said that 14 of the bandits were gunned down by the Police during the attack.
She stated that series of operations were going on in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area noted that the operation was aimed towards a total clampdown on bandits activities in the area.
Anene said, “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.
Source: Independent News
