A police officer and 12 suspected bandits have been killed during a gun duel when suspected bandits engaged the police at Agwabi, Tombo ward in Buruku Local Government area of Benue State.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Benue State Command, SP Sewuese Anene, said the police ran into an ambush laid by the bandits, who engaged the police in a fierce gun duel.
The PPRO noted that the police countered the ambush with a more superior fire power that subdued the gang which at end of the cross fire, twelve (12) bandits were neutralised, some escaped while injured bandits who were taken to the hospital were confirmed dead and deposited at the hospital morgue.
Items recovered from them include: three (3) AK-47 rifles, six rounds of live ammunition, camouflage uniforms and assorted charms.
The police spokesperson said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet had ordered Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to clamp down on criminals in the state during the usual monthly conference as he had noticed a regrouping of criminal gangs .
It was in line with the directives that the Operation Zenda Joint Taskforce embarked on raids across the state.
“Unfortunately, one of the police team members; Inspector Terfa Anyiatse sustained a gunshot injury and was eventually confirmed dead by a doctor. His corpse has also been deposited at the morgue”.
The Commissioner of Police while commiserating with family and friends of the deceased officer, also prayed for the repose of his soul even as he also extolled the courage of the operatives involved in the operation.
In a similar instance, operations carried out around Daudu in Guma Local Government and Makurdi by various Divisions led to the recovery of seven (7) locally made pistols, arrest of five (5) suspected robbers and thirty two (32) suspected cultist. Investigation is ongoing according to the statement.
