This was stated in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Friday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula.
Gov. Alia called the occurrences a "affront to the state," especially given that they occurred as the Security Council Meeting in Government House Makurdi was going on.
Additionally, he vehemently denounced the evil deeds and promised to hold those responsible accountable.
He specifically prayed to God to grant them enteral rest on behalf of the families of those who had been brutally slain by the thieves during the operation.
The fact that persons who were on duty, particularly Police Officers, were shot and slain in cold blood by those callous criminals is a regrettable event.
However, they can't get away with it. Security authorities are already pursuing them and need to catch them to bring them to justice, he said.
He urged the citizens of the state to exercise caution and make an effort to report any suspicious activity they observed.
According to NAN, the state's Police Command verified the incidences but would not provide any other information.
A reliable source from Otukpo, however, reported that the robberies lasted for almost two hours.
"We first heard gunshots around 3 o'clock; when I checked, I saw that three banks were being robbed.
"The armed robbers attacked the Otukpo Police Station first, disarming the officers, and then began shooting randomly before they moved to the banks.
The robbery, which lasted for almost an hour without any resistance, was carried out by all of them with their faces concealed while they were in two Hilux vans, a Toyota Matrix, and another tiny car.
The source further stated that a former councilor who was conducting business in one of the impacted banks as well as two police officers were among the seven people killed by the thieves.
"The incidents caused huge uproar in the town, with citizens, particularly traders, seen scurrying about for their lives."
