By: Tega Orugbo
At least no fewer than eight policemen, including a divisional police officer (DPO) and a woman, were killed by an armed robbery gang in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State on Thursday.
The incident, which occurred at 12 noon sent panic to the whole community as everybody was running for their dear life.
It was gathered that the large number of armed robbers, who stormed Isanlu community to rob an old generation bank branch in the town, first attacked the police station closeby.
It was gathered that at the police station, the armed robbers used dynamite to bomb the station, killing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and seven others.
It was learnt that after they attacked the police station, the robbers moved to the old generation bank and opened fire and killed a woman who came to transact business in the bank.
While the robbery operation lasted, the people of Isanlu community ran for cover in order not to be caught in the gun duel.
Meanwhile, in a video of the incident that has gone viral on social media, the bodies of the slain policemen were seen littered on the ground, while the divisional police station was shattered by the explosion.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, William Ayah, a deputy superintendent of police, when contacted, said that the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Ede, had deployed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Isanlu.
He pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of operations had also been deployed in the community.
He said that investigation into the incident would commence immediately.
Gov Bello Reacts
Meanwhile, Governor of the State, Yahaya Bello has reacted to the gruesome robbery incident just as he urged security operatives to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure that justice is served.
Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed said “Our open arms is not invitation to criminals. Our first responsibility as a government is to ensure the security of lives and property in the state. The bank robbery was a recurrence decimal in Kogi State before the current administration.
“Together with all the security agencies in the state we ended the regime of this form of crime since 2017, we will not allow this to reverse the gains we have recorded in protecting lives and property of our people” he said.
Governor Bello also commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones in the awful incident.
