Offa robbery: Anti-Saraki protesters insist on Senate president's probe by police
- Some protesters in Offa, Kwara state, have thrown their weight behind the police in its move to probe Bukola Saraki, the Senate president concerning the robbery that took place in the town
- Muyideen Babalola, the spokesperson for the Association of Concerned Offa Indigenes Home and Abroad, said the bid to probe Saraki was an answer to the people's prayers
- However, some leaders of the Offa community have asked for caution in the move to form a formidable force towards Saraki's probe
The action against the police's bid to probe the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, over the Offa robbery scandal was on Tuesday, June 5, countered by some residents in the local government area of the state.
The protesters, who marched along the road leading to the palace of Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, in the Idi-Ogun area, went about with placards most of which read: ‘Injustice is dead, justice must prevail,’ ‘RIP to the victims, Saraki is questionable,’ and ‘We cannot trade on injustice', Punch reports.
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Muyideen Babalola, the spokesperson for the Association of Concerned Offa Indigenes Home and Abroad, in his speech on the development said that Saraki’s invitation by the police was not only proper, but also an answer to the people's prayers.
Babalola said: “The obnoxious act of April 5, 2018, when armed robbers came to Offa, killing over 50 of our dear sons and daughters and some police officers, has taken a toll on us.
“In whatever we do, our past has a way of catching up with us like a shadow. God has answered our prayers in Offa. Our cries have been heard.”
Another member of the group's executive, Femi Whyte, remarked that they were marching for justice, alleging that the blood of the dead was crying for revenge.
Whyte said: “Since April 5 that the robbers attacked Offa… economic activities of the community have been adversely affected, as banks have remained closed. Our people are being subjected to the pain of travelling to other towns to access money.
“Due to the unrelenting efforts of the Nigeria Police Force… the miscreants have been nabbed… and in the course of police investigation, some top politicians were mentioned to be remotely connected with the robbery.
“But to our dismay and sadness, these politicians mobilised some political jobbers to protest in their favour to jeopardise the ongoing investigation by the Nigeria police.
“It is pertinent to state here without any ambiguity that Offa people are totally against the shameless rally that took place in Offa yesterday (Monday).”
He said that residents in the area have thrown their weight behind the police to investigate Saraki's involvement in the robbery. He states: “We completely dissociate ourselves from the sponsored rally.
“The souls of the victims are crying for justice. We are waiting for justice to be done. In Offa, we cherish justice, equity and fairness.”
However, some leaders of the Offa community have asked for caution in the move to form a formidable force towards Saraki's probe.
Alhaji Najimdeen Yasin, the national president of the Offa descendants union, and the secretary general, Chief Wosilat Macarthy, in a statement said the community would appreciate thoroughness to ensure justice.
They said that the Offa people had enjoyed “kind gesture and benevolence” from Saraki, stating that the community held Saraki in high esteem. They urged all social media platforms and media organisations to validate all reports before dissemination.
Meanwhile, many women in the state capital, Ilorin organised a special prayer for Saraki on Tuesday, June 5. The women recited verses from the Holy Qur’an and prayed to God to protect the president.
Hajia Ramat Oganija, the leader of the group, said members of the group resorted to prayer because of their belief that Saraki was innocent.
Oganija said: “We were shocked by the development because over the years, we have known our leader, Dr Bukola Saraki, as a compassionate and kind-hearted man who can not hurt a fly. Our leader abhors violence in all its ramifications.
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“He has helped many women with money to start their own business and facilitated the training of young women in vocational skills and equipped them upon graduation.”
She said the group would continue to support Saraki with prayers, adding that the allegation was false.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the police had revealed circumstances that led to the invitation of Saraki over April 5, multiple bank robbery in Offa.
Street gist: Should the Nigerian senate be scrapped? On Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
