National Assembly wants Benue banks attack probed, blames security failure

The Senate and House of Representatives Tuesday urged the police and other security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attacks on banks and police formation in Benue State. Dozens of armed robbers, on October 20, attacked four banks and police command in Otukpo town, Benue State, killing about eight persons including four security personnel, […]

The Senate and House of Representatives Tuesday urged the police and other security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attacks on banks and police formation in Benue State.

Dozens of armed robbers, on October 20, attacked four banks and police command in Otukpo town, Benue State, killing about eight persons including four security personnel, and carted away millions of naira from the banks.

The Red Chamber, following a motion by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue), asked the security operatives to unravel the mystery of the lack of intelligence and alertness on the day of the invasion. 

Moro blamed the robbery attack on the failure of intelligence and policing, saying despite the presence of several security checkpoints mounted by several security agencies, none had a hint about 60 armed men in a convoy of vehicles storming the city to invade four banks. 

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The armed robbers, he said, operated for over one hour with little or no resistance holding the entire town hostage. 

He said, “When the attack happened, none of the agencies could reach out to mobilise a counter offensive.”

He further explained that residents of the once peaceful town were living on the edge, urging the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials for the rehabilitation of the Otukpo police command and those injured.

The House during its own deliberation called on the government to as a matter of urgency increase the security presence within the town and its environs to prevent recurrence.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion by Rep Blessing Onyeche Onuh at plenary.

Onuh in leading the debate stated that the effect of the attack had led to the shutting down of economic activities in the community as panic is still prevalent among residents. 

Rep Philip Agbese in his contribution called on the security agencies to step up their reaction to acts of insecurity as Nigerians seemed to have lost confidence in their abilities to protect them.

The motion was adopted and referred to the House Committees on National Security, Police as well as that of the army.