Political News
Saraki Denies Link With Offa Robbery, Slams IGP Ibrahim Idris
Official Press Statement By Dr Bukola Saraki
The attention of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has been drawn to a story circulating online and apparently derived from a Press Conference addressed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moshood Jimoh, linking him (Saraki) to the Offa robbery.
Dr. Saraki will want the entire public to disregard this claim as a baseless allegation and another ploy by the Police to implicate him by all means. “Let it be known that there is no way I could have been associated with armed robbery against my people.”
“When the Offa robbery incident happened, I was the first top public official to pay a visit to the place and right there in the palace of the traditional ruler, I put a call through to this same Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the IGP, requesting him to make certain specific security arrangements as demanded by the people.
“Members of the public will remember that on May 16, 2018, I alerted the Senate about the information passed on to me by my State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatai Ahmed, over a plot by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to frame me up by getting some suspected cultists arrested in Ilorin to implicate me. It is believed that the timely leakage of the plot in that case aborted the use of the suspected cultists to implicate me. Now, it is the Offa bank robbery suspects that are about to be used.
“This plot is concocted to embarrass me and, in the mind of the IGP, it is his own response after his refusal to honour the invitation by the National Assembly, headed me, for him to come and offer explanations on the rampant killings and violence across the country.
“Like the earlier one, this frame-up will also fail as I hereby state categorically that I have no link with any band of criminals.
“As a person who has utmost respect for the rule of law and all constitutional institutions, when the invitation from the Police is formally extended to me, I will be ready to honour it without any delay.
“It is however sad that this abuse of the criminal investigation process aimed at intimidating and over-overawing the legislature, thereby obstructing it from doing its work, is a big threat to our democracy “, the Senate President stated.
iron bar
June 4, 2018 at 12:42 AM
nonsense..buhari is incompetent,vp is incapacitated and adamant ,senate pres always on one allegation or another.insp gen of police who cannot even read a keynote address or summon courage to answer his call on the senate floof..sht hole place.
Mon
June 4, 2018 at 3:33 AM
Whoever cannot see that Nigeria is actually burning down is either in denial of the reality or misinformed…. and these so called leaders in Nigeria are the ones bringing shame to Nigeria.
Anike
June 4, 2018 at 12:57 PM
Bullshit! So Saraki also sent you to rob the Bank, how much did you give him as share? show us evidence. I don’t believe your story. Bring proofs. I am not taking side with anybody, but were you forced to be thugs or armed robbers? You had a choice to refuse but you chose to be who you are, no matter what you say, you will all die. No mercy!! Dangerous armed robbers.
Jilo
June 4, 2018 at 2:50 PM
Folks, let’s be careful on how we react to the above issue in order to help us heal this Country of its social menace and political upheaval that have engulfed our nation which plays a lead role in our political instability and decadence of this nation.
Saraki knew nothing about the robbery ‘agreed’ but Saraki played a role in that robbery and should be prosecuted for the accessory to an armed robbery. The reason for this is very simple. Two of Saraki’s cars which were used by the robbers registered by Saraki were recovered by the police. During the course of investigation, the apprehended armed robbers confessed that they work as Saraki political thug and he gave them those cars which I believe he gave them to run around the city to intimidate and harass his political opponents but not for robbery.
Saraki is guilty as those guys because there is no point that person of Saraki caliber should have thugs on his permanent pay roll just for political intimidation. That implies, those guy can kill, maim and traumatize people around Kwara State because they have the backing of Senate President. What Saraki does not realize is, when those guy cannot make enough money, they will use whatever they have in their possession to get what they want.
In a civilized nation, this incidence alone is enough for for Saraki to recuse himself from the position of Senate President. Let’ Put sentiment aside. Buhari has nothing to do with this. If Buhari wants Saraki to go, he would have gone long time ago. Saraki on his own has already marred by numerous misconduct which makes him unfit to be the Senate leader.
Our politicians have destroyed this Country to the extent that if we don’t fight it now, we are not going to have a Country. They are the one behind the turmoil in this Country. They are the ones sending those guys to kill for them for ritual purposes or political achievement and we shouldn’t be taking side this time around. I think God used this issue to expose our leaders so that we can make use of our best judgement coming 2019.
My take on this issue is to let the Nigeria Police do their job by conducting thourough investigation in order to get justice against those heartless criminals who killed 36 people in one operation including a pregnant woman. Besides this horrific crime took place in Saraki home state. We need justice for the deceased no matter whose ox is gored. Justice must be done.
Adebowale Francis
June 5, 2018 at 5:56 AM
Mr Jilo I can see that you have not be a victim of Nigeria police brutality. Go and read about chief Awolowo case you will be wise. Tell me a politician in the world that has no henchmen which you call thugs in Nigeria. You are less informed, go and read or watch the film called, (the God father)
AK
June 4, 2018 at 3:11 PM
Nigeria is in a sorry state. Politics can have its own impact in this allegation no doubt. However, the killings and maimings by the so called herds men, if it was giving this much attention and resources to get the root cause, am sure the culprits and those behind it could have been brought to justice.
The whole system is in shambles and without proper dialogue, Nigeria will continue to go round on a treadmill.
Very sad a great nation is in this precarious but dangerous state. Even the 2019 election will profer no real solutions to the sorry state the nation is.