Police Denies Withdrawing Invitation, Says Saraki Must Appear Before Investigators

The police force headquarters Wednesday said it did not cancel its invitation to Senate President Bukola Saraki to appear in person before investigators handling the Offa armed robbery probe. 

The police say it has evidence linking the Senate President to the robbery gang members in custody, responsible for robbing multiple banks and murder of 33 persons during a operation in Offa, Kwara State, Saraki’s home state.

The leader of the gang, Ayoade Akinnibosun told the media that they are Saraki and Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed’s political thugs but that both politicians are not aware that they are also armed robbers.

Saraki had in a widely circulated tweet Tuesday said the police had withdrawn the invitation and asked him to instead send in a written response.

However, Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood during another briefing on the matter Wednesday insisted that Saraki going by confessional statements obtained from the suspects was culpable in the robbery and killings and therefore, has a case to answer though did not give him a timeline to turn himself in.

“The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki is still under investigation in connection to the Offa banks robbery and the Nigeria Police Force will do everything possible within the ambit of the law to ensure that justice is done in this case.”

A rare joint session of the National Assembly Tuesday passed a vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris as tension between the police and the legislative arm of government shows no sign of cooling off.