By Jonathan Ugbal
At least five people including a police sergeant, Mr. Jude Ndi were shot dead by armed robbers on Wednesday in Utugwang area of Obudu local government area of northern Cross River security sources have reliably informed CrossRiverWatch.
The robbers numbering four are said to have worn Police Mobile Force (PMF) uniforms suspected to be carrying the insignia of the command in Makurdi, neighboring Benue state’s capital and attacked residents in Mbube community of Ogoja local government area on Tuesday morning before proceeding to Obudu.
“We gathered that they robbed in Ogoja, attacked some Fulani people and made away with tens of millions and when they were chased, ran into hiding in the boundary between Utugwang in Obudu and Mbube in Ogoja from where they launched their attacks on Wednesday,” a security source told CrossRiverWatch.
The source said that they robbers emerged from hiding on Wednesday and shot one dead, collected the victim’s car; a Volkswagen golf and drove into Utugwang where they met resistance from the locals whom had gathered they were coming.
“The youths formed a barricade and began throwing stones at them; this provoked them and one came down asking them why they were attacking government personnel and shot one dead immediately. Other boys ran and the robbers chased them into one building and opened fire killing another two instantly,” the source said.
The robbers are said to have walked down close to the Utugwang market when they were confronted by a detachment of police personnel from the Obudu division which led to the death of Sergeant Jude while a colleague of his is currently recuperating at an undisclosed hospital.
Other civilians injured in the attack which lasted about 45 minutes are currently receiving treatment too, CrossRiverWatch gathered.
Also, one of the robbers said to have been caught was released after an elderly person had advised so due to the uniform he was wearing.
Meanwhile, DailyPost reports that about seven armed robbers wearing PMF uniforms had engaged policemen from the Ogoja division in a fierce gun battle on Tuesday after a distress call alerted them that the robbers driving in a dark ash 1998 Toyota Corolla with registration number AJ 349 RLU.
They had attempted snatching a Ford Galaxy with registration number, Taraba – SDA 559 XA along ther Mbok – Ekpugrinya junction’s axis of the Ikom – Ogoja – Katsina-Ala highway.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs. Irene Ugbo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police had confirmed the incident at Ogoja to DailyPost and disclosed that both vehicles were recovered while investigations are ongoing.
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