Police foil bandits attack on Benue cell, kill 14

The police on Sunday killed 14 bandits during a gun battle with some attackers of a police cell in the Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of the Benue State.
The bandits were said to have attempted to free some inmates of the police cell.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, DSP Catherine Anene, in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi, said the armed bandits, who came in large numbers, attempted to rescue their colleagues in police custody on Sunday morning.
She said the foiled attempt followed series of security operations going on in the Kastina-Ala area of the state during which some bandits were arrested and held in police custody.
“These activities are geared towards a total clampdown on bandits activities in the area.
“On 19th June 2021, five bandits were arrested and detained at Kastina-Ala Police Division for investigation and prosecution.
“On 20th June 2021 at about 1:30 am more than fifty other gang members of the detainees mobilized and invaded the police station to rescue their counterparts.
“Officers at the division, who were already at alert, engaged them in a gun duel and were able to subdue the bandits.
“Fourteen (14) of them were brought down during the exchange of fire while several others escaped with gunshot injuries,” Anene stated.
The PPRO added that operatives in the area are currently on the trail of suspects at large just as she urged the residents of Kastina-Ala town to remain calm and avail every useful information about the bandits to the police.