Gunmen attack three banks in Kogi

The Kogi police command has confirmed the attack on three banks in Ankpa LGA of the state.

The gunmen, who were said to have invaded the town in their numbers, attacked the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank and First Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement on Wednesday, William Aya, police public relations officer in the state, said the attack on the banks was carried out simultaneously.

“The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Edward Egbuka, psc, immediately led a team of tactical operatives to the scenes for on-the-spot assessment and has equally ordered the deployment of additional operational assets, consisting of operatives of the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Quick Response Unit, State Intelligence Bureau, in synergy with other security agencies to restore normalcy in the area,” Aya said.

“The police personnel on duty both at the station and the banks quickly recovered from the sudden attack and gallantly repelled the attackers who were forced to flee – some into nearby bushes, others with their vehicles.

“The hoodlums abandoned three vehicles used for the operation in their haste to escape, some of them with bullet wounds.

“The CP uses this medium to call on the people of Ankpa and its adjoining communities to be on the lookout and report anybody seen with bullet wounds to the Police or any other security forces nearest to them.”

According to Aya, the police commissioner tasked the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the state criminal investigation department (SCID) to commence a probe into the incident and apprehend the suspects.

The police commissioner also urged residents to go about their lawful businesses and continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information on the activities of criminal elements in their environs.