The Senate attributes the Otukpo bank robbery to a deficiency in intelligence gathering

Senator Patrick Abba Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial District, has placed responsibility for the recent deadly bank robbery in Otukpo on a lack of intelligence within the security agencies operating in Benue State.

This unfortunate incident, which occurred on Saturday, October 20, resulted in the tragic deaths of the Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, John Adikwu, three other police officers, and four civilians, both within and outside the bank premises. Senator Moro voiced his concerns during a discussion with journalists after presenting a motion titled “Otukpo Robbery Attack: Urgent Need for Investigation and Intervention” on the Senate floor.

Senator Moro questioned how a group of armed robbers, traveling in a convoy of vehicles and motorcycles, managed to infiltrate the town and conduct their operation for nearly an hour without being intercepted or countered by security personnel. He highlighted the numerous security checkpoints in the area, including the police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Department of State Services, and pointed out the absence of any prior intelligence or response from these agencies. He questioned, “Where is the intelligence? When the attack happened, none of the agencies could reach out to mobilize a counterattack.”

Responding to a reporter’s query about the importance of state police for community policing, Senator Moro explained that his previous opposition to the creation of state police was rooted in concerns about many states struggling to meet basic financial obligations, such as paying workers’ salaries. He worried that the additional burden of a police wage bill could further strain state governments.

In his motion presentation, Senator Moro lamented that the suspected armed robbers operated with little resistance for over an hour, effectively holding the entire town hostage. Alongside the loss of lives, the robbers made off with substantial sums of money from the banks and seized arms and ammunition from the police command.

In response, the Senate passed resolutions urging the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies to promptly investigate the circumstances surrounding the invasion and the tragic loss of innocent lives. They also called on these agencies to uncover the reasons behind the absence of intelligence and readiness on the day of the invasion. Additionally, the Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to swiftly provide relief materials for the rehabilitation of the Otukpo Police Command.