Saraki replies IGP: Send officers investigating Offa robbery to my office

Senate President Bukola Saraki has asked Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), to send his personnel to his office to take further statements on the robbery incident that took place in Offa, Kwara state, in April.

Five banks were raided and 31 people lost their lives in the heist.

On Monday night, Idris asked Saraki to report to the office of the intelligence response team (IRT) over the robbery incident.

The police said the suspects arrested in connection with the incident named Saraki as their sponsor.

But in a letter dated July 24 and addressed to the IGP, Saraki said President Muhammadu Buhari had given a directive that if the police wanted additional information, they were to either to send a police personnel or get a written response from him.

He explained that if he had honoured the invitation while Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, was prevented from leaving his residence, their absence would have “voided the sitting of the senate”.

“For the record, I should mention that I received your letter at 8:30 pm on Monday 23rd July, 2018, inviting me for the next day at 8am. The two lawyers whose advise I needed were in Calabar and Lagos and have to travel to Abuja today,” the letter read.

“As your are aware, the deputy president of the senate was on unable to leave his residence this morning to preside over the senate having been prevented from doing so by security agents. If he had been able to preside over the senate, I would have honoured your invitation.

“The absence of both presiding officers would have voided the sitting of the senate. This would have been damaging to national interest, particularly in the light of very important legislative matters that needed to be be addressed in view of the imminent recess of the national assembly.

“These included consideration of the electoral bill which was incidentally passed today. You will recall that Mr President had earlier directed as a courtesy to this office that in the event of any request for further information from me, you should either send your personnel to my office or obtain a written response from me.

“I need to place on record as well, that following the incident of being harassed and threatened at my residence by the police early this morning, I’m deeply concerned over my physical security. I request you therefore, to please assign your personnel who need information on this matter to meet me in my office immediately plenary, today or tomorrow or at any other day at your convenience.”