the Nigeria polity has been overheated in recent times following the police accusations of the Senate President Bukola Sariki and the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed being behind the bank robbery which claimed over 30 lives. In a recent interaction with the Governor, Hammed Shittu of THIS DAY Newspaper brings to light the Governor's reaction on this issue.
QUESTION: What’s your reaction to the police indictment on you and the Senate President on the Offa robbery?
ANSWER: It’s very unfortunate and disheartening that the incident caught us unaware. It was sad that 33 innocent lives were cut short by the dastardly act. We sympathise with their families, friends and associates. Our heart is with them at this moment. May Almighy Allah console and comfort them.
We also deeply commend the Nigeria Police for swinging into action swiftly and the promptness with which they apprehended the suspects. They have displayed high level of professionalism equal only to those found in technologically advanced climes. That singular success of early apprehension of the suspects has reinforced our confidence in the competence of the force.
Don’t forget that similar incidents had occurred in Share and Oro, my senatorial district without success in bringing the culprits to justice. So, ordinarily the feat recorded in Offa should have been applauded by the people whose economic and social activities were disrupted. Rather than the media trial, the police should have followed up confessions of the suspects on their intents and actions. The armourer has been named. How did he get this type of sophisticated weapons? What are the sources? Where is the named armourer? These are questions begging for answers.
Our political system in the state is inclusive and grassroots oriented. There is no need for violence. We’ve never experienced any form of violence in our elections, especially since 2013 elections. We’re not a violent state. This is a state of harmony. So, if anyone regards himself as a political thug, then it’s his business. As a state with over 60 per cent youth population, various empowerment opportunities through the SMEs are offered to them. If any one turns opportunity to criminality, he must face the full wrath of the law.
The state government is committed to strengthening the cordial relationship with the police as demonstrated through various support to the force and therefore will restrain itself from politicising a serious security issue like the Offa robbery.
What’s obvious is that we need to put everything in place to restore confidence and comfort in the mind of our people. We need to put measures in place to prevent future occurrence of the unfortunate incident.
But to accuse the state executive governor and a sitting senate president of complicity is to trivialise and politicise a serious national tragedy which the Offa robbery symbolises.
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