Unknown Gunmen Shoot DPO in Benue State

A report by ThisDay indicates that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Divisional Police headquarters in Otukpo local government area of Benue state, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Yahaya Pawa, was shot on Tuesday, December 1 by unknown gunmen.

According to the report, the incident took place in the early hours of the day when the DPO led a team of policemen to arrest suspected criminals at Otukpo-Icho village.

The criminals were alleged to be selling stolen goods suspected to have been looted during the recent fire outbreak in Otukpo main market.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has been very vocal about the insecurity in the state.

The source who identified himself as Tony was quoted in the report as saying:

“Some hoodlums seized the opportunity of the fire incident in Otukpo main market recently to loot the shops. The lid blew when the suspects were found selling some of the stolen goods such as clothes and cooking utensils in the community. “The people in the community decided to inform the police, and a team of policemen led by the DPO embarked on a search operation at the early hours of yesterday.

“In the process, some of the suspects shot at the DPO and ran away. The DPO is currently said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Otukpo.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue state police command, DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, saying the DPO was in stable condition.