Kogiflame
Kogi State Police Command and Hunters have arrested eight members of the suspected robbery syndicate, who attacked three banks and police stations in Egbe and Odo Ere communities in Yagba West Local government area of Kogi State last week Tuesday.
They were arrested through combined efforts of security agencies, local hunters and vigilantes according to a report after two suspected armed robbers members were also arrested by local hunters at Igbaruku, a suburb of Odo-Ere while begging residents for drinking water.
An eyewitness said news of their arrests attracted an irate crowd, who gathered at the police divisional station at Odo-Ere and demanded instant justice.
According to the witness, when the police failed to yield to their demand, the crowd became unruly and in the melee, an officer mistakenly fired a gunshot that led to the death of yet to be identified, two people.
“The irate mob retaliated, killed the erring police officer, and razed down part of the police station.
“On Saturday, three more members of the fleeing robbers were intercepted at Ejiba, while two others, who were trying to board a vehicle in nearby Isanlu, were arrested.
“The driver of the vehicle pretended like taking them on the journey but instead drove them into the police station.
“Two others were intercepted in Isanlu, during a stop and search operation when they were found to be in possession of N2 million worth of cash wrapped in an emblem of one of the affected banks.
“All arrested suspects have been moved to Kogi State Police Command in Lokoja, for further investigations and prosecution,” the witness said.
Meanwhile, former member of House of Representatives from Yagba West, Hon Sunday Karimi, has expressed appreciation to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for mobilising prompt security response to the attack.
The Kogi state Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP William Ayah confirmed the arrested to our correspondent.
However he said he can’t give figure now as effort is on to arrest other criminals that were involved.
Recalled that last week Tuesday some suspected armed robbers fully armed invaded the two communities, killed four civilians, a police officer and a bank guard during their operations that reportedly lasted hours leaving residents to scamper to safety.
However, a combined team of security agents immediately swung into action and tracked the suspects into their hideouts, where an unofficial report said some of the robbers were killed.
