Offa robbery: Saraki seeks inquiry into death of key suspect

…Says he has been vindicated

Following eventual disclosure by the Police that Michael Adikwu,
the principal suspect in the deadly bank robbery attacks in Offa,
Kwara State, on April 5, 2018, is dead, the President of the Senate
President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Wednesday asked the Presidency
to institute a judicial inquiry into the reported death of the
principal suspect in the April 5, 2018 Offa robbery attacks,
Michael Adikwu.

Saraki said that the inquiry should be constituted to determine
“how and when’ the suspect died.”

The Senate President in a statement by his Special Adviser
(Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, noted that the new
disclosure by the Police has vindicated his earlier claim that the
suspect had been murdered in police custody and that the
investigation was politically motivated to implicate him (Saraki),
Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed and a few others.

He stated that the inquiry would help to thoroughly examine and
interrogate how the investigation into the robbery incident was
conducted by the Police and whether the investigation followed the
normal process and comply with global best practices.

He added that the Police needed to confirm why it took them so
long to make the disclosure about the death of the principal
suspect after they categorically denied it at the time he (Saraki)
disclosed the information and it was reported in the media.

Saraki said, “It should be recalled that when we mentioned it
that the principal suspect had been murdered and that investigation
into the Offa robbery attack was politically motivated and targeted
at implicating me and other individuals, the Police Public
Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh said: ‘Michael Adikwu is in Police
custody. You know that he is the one that led the killing of 22
people. The fire arms that were carted away, he is helping the
police in the investigation to recover them. There is a state in
the South-west where they kept him. I can’t mention the state. It
is in one of the South-west states’.

“The fresh facts have now thrown more light into why there had
been inconsistencies in the various statements by the police. The
Police initially told the Attorney-General of Kwara State that the
principal suspect was alive and they only later reluctantly
disclosed that he died in the course of arrest. How can a suspect
confirmed to be in custody now be said to have died in the course
of arrest? This contradiction shows a deliberate attempt to cover
up something.

“It is obvious that the Police have orchestrated the information
they give to the public on the Offa robbery only to tarnish the
image of the Kwara State Governor and myself. We are calling for a
public inquiry to probe the issues of extra-judicial killing, the
cover-up of this killing with the aim of framing up some
individuals for political purpose and politicizing of criminal
investigations. The facts need to be laid bare.

“The inquiry may help to further document and define the terms
of handling of suspects in police custody and how to prevent
extra-judicial killing of suspects, for whatever purpose. There is
need for transparency in investigations into all cases and our
methods should comply with global standards. We should discourage
situations where police politicize investigations and deliberately
set out to frame some individuals.

“With the facts on ground, the issues that should be unearthed
by the inquiry include: When exactly did the suspect die? How did
he die? Why was the police denying the facts of his death when they
knew he had died? At what point did the Police leadership knew of
the death? Why are the police covering up the facts? We believe the
answer to these questions will help the country to address the
issue of human rights abuse, extra-judicial killing, manipulation
of criminal investigation to achieve political end, deliberate
attempt to cover up some facts and how skewed investigation of
crime can impact on successful prosecution of suspects,” he
added.

Saraki noted that now that the Police have commenced prosecution
of the remaining suspects in court, there should be diligent and
prompt prosecution so that justice can be transparently done to
both the victims of the Offa robbery and the accused persons.

Related

DSS Arrest Boko Haram’s Medic, Gun-Runners

Following the earlier successes recorded by the Department of
State Services (DSS) in apprehending high profile kidnappers and
gun runners across the country, the Service wishes to further
inform the public of its recent feats.

On 9th November, 2018, at Sabon Birni Village, Igabi LGA, Kaduna
State, a DSS-Military Joint Operation Team apprehended Yusuf SALISU
(aka BALA), a medic for kidnappers and the Boko Haram Sect. Until
his arrest, suspect operated a medicine store and regularly treated
wounded kidnappers or their victims. He is also linked with
thirteen (13) high profile Boko Haram Commanders already on the
wanted list of security agencies. Relatedly, on 7th November, 2018,
at Mararaban-Jos, also in Igabi LGA, another notorious kidnapper,
Muhammad MUSA (aka ZARA) was arrested while perfecting plans to
kidnap a Lawmaker and a prominent personality in Kaduna and Kano
States respectively.

It would be recalled that a suspected gunrunner, Dare OKUNWOLA
(aka BODA) had earlier been arrested by the Joint Team in Jos. His
associates who include Kim DUNG (a local AK-47 Rifle fabricator),
Hubert AKUBULO (aka Okafor), Chidi Ezubebem STANLEY and Elochukwu
Chidiebere OGUABIA have also been arrested. During the operation,
one thousand, one hundred and sixty three (1163) rounds of live
ammunition were recovered from the group. Two (2) other members of
the gang, Bitrus BADUNG and Emeka OBI are still at large.

On 13th November, 2018, at Rafin-Guza, Kaduna State, Umar NUHU,
a member of ISWA and a close associate of Liman MAITUKWANE (the
current leader of Ansaru Group) was arrested by the Joint Team.
This group is responsible for the several attacks on Military Bases
in the North- East. Similarly, on 14th November, 2018, at Gayawa,
Ungogo LGA, Kano State, the Service apprehended Jafar UMAR, a
suspected member of the Boko Haram sect.

In another operation on 16th November, 2018, Shuaibu SHEHU, a
kidnap kingpin and cattle rustler was arrested at Gumel, Jigawa
State while on transit. Items recovered from him were one (1) AK-47
Rifle, one (1) locally made Pistol, two (2) Military uniforms,
sixty-Four (64) cows, four (4) Donkeys and some Rams. Other members
of his gang were also arrested and they include: Abdulkarim DAUDA,
Adamu USAINI, Umar ADAMU, Usaini SHEDE from whom locally made
pistols and two (2) machetes were recovered during a search. On
15th November, 2018 at Fulani settlement, Zango Village, Lokoja, a
suspected kidnapper, Ibrahim MUHAMMADU, who has carried out several
kidnap operations in Kogi state was arrested. His latest victim was
a nine (9) year old boy, Beddi MUHAMMADU earlier kidnapped on 4th
November, 2018.

The arrest of these suspects further signifies major
breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and terrorism. The
Service, therefore, pledges to sustain these efforts aimed at
ridding the country of all forms of criminality. Every law abiding
person is enjoined to be patriotic and volunteer useful information
that will help accomplish this task. While extending gratitude to
sister agencies whose unrelenting efforts have guaranteed these
successes. The Service is confident that adequate security will be
emplaced during and after the yuletide and election periods.

Peter N. AFUNANYA
Public Relations Officer,
Department of State Services,
National Headquarters,
Abuja