Kogi youth attack police to break out robbery suspects, civilians, cop killed during clash

A mob attacked a Yagba West LGA police station, burned it down, killing three people in an attempt to lynch robbery suspects the police kept in its cell.

The Kogi police command in a statement shared on Thursday  said the incident occurred earlier in the week.

In the lead-up to the attacks, three banks in Odo-Ere and Egbe towns in the LGA were robbed. A joint security manhunt then began..

Kogi police spokesperson, William Aya said the manhunt was carried out in collaboration with operatives of other security agencies, hunters and vigilantes.

The suspects were later arrested at the Oke-Ere Hills.

But a crowd of angry residents gathered and headed to the police station, demanding the release of the suspects for jungle justice.

This led to police-community violence, and death.

“All efforts by the police to placate the mob proved abortive; it became violent and in the process lynched one Insp Bamisaye Gbenga and injured PC Sunday Alechenu,” Aya said.

The police spokesperson also revealed that in an effort to disperse the mob, a male and a female were maimed and both died in the hospital while receiving treatment. He added that the mob set part of the station ablaze.

Aya said the Commissioner of Police Idris Babban has condemned the lawlessness at Ode-Ere.