Witnesses have continued to recount the horror that greeted Otukpo town in Benue when a gang of armed robbers launched a coordinated attack on three banks in the town, carting away huge sums of money and killing no fewer than 7 persons including police officers on duty.

A politician, a former councillor, was also said to be among the victims.

A witness said that the robberies took place for about 2hrs.

“We started hearing gunshots about 3pm; when I tried to verify I discovered that three banks were being robbed.

“Before they went to the banks, the armed robbers first attacked the Otukpo Police Station, disarmed the officers and were shooting indiscriminately.

“All of them covered their faces and were in two Hilux vans, a Toyota Matrix and another small car carrying out the robbery which lasted about 2 hours without any resistance.”

The source also said that the robbers left seven dead, including Police officers and a former councilor who was transacting business in one of the affected banks.

“The incidents caused huge stir in the town as residents, particularly traders were seen running helter-skelter for dear lives,” the witness said.

Gov Hyacinth Alia has, however, assured that perpetrators of the coordinated bank robberies will be arrested.

This was contained in a statement on Friday signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula.

Gov Alia described the incidents as “affront on the state, especially that it took place at the exact time the Security Council Meeting was in progress in Government House Makurdi.”

He also strongly condemned the dastardly operations and assured that the perpetrators would be brought to book.

He specifically sympathized with the families of those gruesomely murdered by the robbers during the operation and prayed God to grant them enteral rest.

“It is an unfortunate development that people who were on duty, especially police officers, were shot and killed in cold blood by those mindless robbers.

“But they cannot get away with this. Already, security agencies are on their trail and must apprehend and bring them to justice,” he said.

He called on the people of the state to be vigilant and always endeavour to report suspicious movements around them at all times.

The Police Command in the state also confirmed the incidents but refused to give any details.

Additional reports by NAN