Why we invited Saraki over Offa bank robberies - Police

Why we invited Saraki over Offa bank robberies - Police

- Nigeria police claimed the force invited Senate President Bukola Saraki over April 5 multiple bank robbery in Offa Kwara state because he was indicted by some gang members

- Police said the gang members claimed they were political thugs under the name Youth Liberation Movement

- They were also alleged to have confessed to have been sponsored with firearms, money and operational vehicles by the senate president

The police have revealed circumstances that led to the invitation of Senate President Bukola Saraki over April 5 multiple bank robbery in Offa Kwara state.

Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood who announced the arrest of Mr Yusuf Abdulwahab, the chief of staff to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Alabi Olalekan, his personal assistant, political said the bandits arrested made confessions during interrogations, indicting the senate president in the process.

READ ALSO: Police invite Saraki for questioning over Offa robbery

“The Senate president, Sen Bukola Saraki is being invited by the Nigeria Police Force to report to the Force Intelligence Response Team office at Guzape, Abuja to answer to the allegations levelled against him from the confessions of the five (5) gang leaders, namely; Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibukunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salawudeen Azeez, Niyi Ogundiran and some of the other Seventeen (17) suspects arrested for direct involvement and active participation in the Offa bank robbery and the gruesome killing of 33 innocent persons which include some pregnant women and nine police personnel,” Moshood said.

The police in the statement appeared to have dropped hints on what they wanted to ask Saraki about, as they claimed that the five men, who were the leaders of the bandits `’admitted, confessed and volunteered statements that they were political thugs of the Senate President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Bukola Saraki and the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alh. Abdulfatah Ahmed”.

The other hints dropped were the recovery of one Toyota Prado Jeep with Reg. No. 19KWGH belonging to the Personal Assistant, Political to the Governor of Kwara State and a Sticker plate number with inscription “SARAKI” “Kwara, State of Harmony”.

According to the police: “The five gang leaders further confessed during investigation that they are political thugs under the name Youth Liberation Movement a.k.a “Good Boys” admitted and confessed to have been sponsored with firearms, money and operational vehicles by the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki and the Governor of Kwara State, Alh. Abdulfatah Ahmed.”

Police explained why the chief of staff and the personal assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed were also arrested:

“A Lexus jeep GX-300 (ash Colour) with a sticker plate number with inscription “SARAKI” “Kwara, state of harmony” used by the gang leader Ayoade Akinnibosun, during the bank robbery and the killing of the 33 innocent persons was taken to government house, Ilorin on 16th May, 2018 where the sticker plate number with inscription “SARAKI” “Kwara, state of harmony” was removed before another plate number (Reg. No. Kwara, KMA 143 RM) registered in the name of Ayoade AKinnibosun the Overall commander of the Offa bank robbery was then attached to the vehicle to cover up the identity of the said vehicle.

“The exhibit vehicle was subsequently recovered from the premises of the ministry of environmental and forestry in Ilorin, Kwara state. While the sticker plate number with inscription “SARAKI” “Kwara, state of harmony” removed from the vehicle was recovered from one Adeola Omiyale who drove the said Lexus Jeep to government House, Ilorin immediately after the bank robbery.

“The personal assistant (political) to the executive governor of Kwara state, Mr. Alabi Olalekan, who is privy to information that the Police is looking for the Lexus Jeep as an exhibit used in the Offa Bank Robbery… directed one Adeola Omiyale to relocate the Lexus Jeep to Government House, Ilorin. The PA (Political) is currently in Police custody and has made useful statement assisting the Police in further investigation into the case.

“A revolver pistol and pump action gun were recovered by the Police Investigation Team from the personal assistant (political) to the executive governor of Kwara state, Mr Alabi Olalekan’s farm where he directed his brother to hide them after his arrest by the police.

“In order to conceal evidence, the chief of staff to the executive governor of Kwara state, Mr Yusuf Abdulwahab who has been arrested and taken into police custody, arranged the removal of the sticker plate number with inscription “SARAKI” “Kwara, state of harmony” from the exhibit vehicle.

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The police gave an assurance that they will continue to ensure that the rule of law prevails in every case under investigation and every offender is brought to justice.

Legit.ng had also reported that the police have released the full list of suspects arrested in connection with April 5 multiple bank robbery in Offa Kwara state, during which 33 persons, including nine policemen, were killed.

Nigeria News: Offa bank robbery - The untold story (NAIJ EXCLUSIVE) | - on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Aanu Adegun avatar

Aanu Adegun Aanu Adegun is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in both digital and traditional media. A graduate of English Studies from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo state. Aanu joined Legit.ng in 2016 covering politics and current affairs. Aanu started his journalism career as a features writer. He once anchored some specialised pages of a national newspaper. You can reach him via - aanu.adegun@corp.legit.ng