20th December, 2021
By Richard Elesho
Kogi State Police Command and hunters have arrested eight members of a 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 Tuesday.
They were arrested through combined efforts of security agencies, local hunters and vigilantes according to a report after two suspected armed robbers were also arrested by local hunters at Igbaruku, a suburb of Odo-Ere while begging residents for drinking water.
According to a source, “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 to be 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 Kogi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP William Ayah confirmed the arrest to our correspondent.
He however declined giving figures, noting that efforts were still on to arrest other suspects in the crime.
It would be recalled that last week Tuesday some gunmen 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.