Fourteen bandits were Sunday morning gunned down during an attack on Police Station in Katsina-Ala, Benue state.
The bandits, according to police authority, were at the station to rescue five of their members earlier arrested and kept in the cell at the Area Command station.
Spokesperson Benue State Police Command DSP Catherine Sewuese Anene, in a press statement said series of operations were ongoing in Katsina-Ala and in one of the operations on 19th June, 2021; the suspected bandits were arrested and kept in the cell for investigation.
She, however, noted that in the early hours of Sunday around 1:30 am, 50 bandits mobilised and invaded the station to rescue their members but the police repelled and killed 14 of them.
She said: “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 fifty other gang members of the detainees mobilised 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. Operatives in the area are currently on the trail of suspects at large.
“The good people of Kastina-Ala town are advised to remain calm and avail every useful information about the bandits to the police.”
In a related development, about 15 armed bandits were killed in a gun duel with troops Saturday in Anguwan Mallam, Kontagora, Niger state.
The Truth gathered that the exchange of fire occurred at about 4.00pm when the troops on patrol sighted the criminals at the location.
A local source told our correspondence that the arrival of the troops was what saved the 70-member gang from dealing a deadly attack on the residents.
With the gallant soldiers exhibiting superior firepower, the bandits reportedly fled into the bush.
However, the police authority was yet to comment on the development as at the time of this report.
