Police cordon off Saraki’s home in Abuja: Media Adviser

Policemen in front of Saraki’s home this morning

Yusuph Olaniyonu, the media adviser to Senator Bukola Saraki said the house of his principal was blocked by the police Tuesday morning.

In a WhatsApp post, he also claimed the house of deputy senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has also been surrounded by DSS agents.

Kola Ologbondiyan, publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party corroborated unusual security presence at Ekweremadu’s house, when he tweeted: “Security operatives block Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu,’s residence in Apo, Abuja”. Ekweremadu’s spokesman Uche Anichukwu confirmed the security presence and said it included operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Both claims have not been verified. And security agents have not spoken on why the actions were taken.

The Nation reported that the police only blocked Saraki’s convoy for about 30 minutes. The convoy was about to leave the house at about 7am when the police arrived.

“When the convoy was cleared to go at about 7.30 a.m, some police vehicles trailed it up to the National Assembly complex.”

Police were said to have extracted a promise from the Senate President that he would honour the invitation by the Inspector General of Police today.

Saraki has been invited by the Inspector General of Police to report at 8a.m today at Guzape Police station to give further statement on the multiple robbery incidents that occurred in Offa, Kwara state on 5 April, in which 31 people were killed.

Some of the suspects arrested claimed Saraki gave them money and guns as members of a group used by the politician to cow opponents.

In a letter sent to Saraki on Monday night, Idris asked him to make himself available to the head of the Investigation Team at the Intelligence Response Team at Guzape Junction, Asokoro Extension, Abuja at 8a.m.

Security presence at Saraki’s residence in Abuja

The police had on 4 June asked for Saraki’s reaction to the statement made by some of the suspects arrested in connection to the most deadly robbery in the history of Nigeria. Saraki wrote a statement dated 7 June.

Idris ruled the statement inadequate.

“After a careful perusal of your letter to the Police, it was discovered that the statement requires further clarification and coupled with the fact that you stated that the full text of the statements of the suspects were not shown to you, it is imperative you report to the Police to make further statements after giving you the full text of the statements of the suspects.

“It is in line with the above that you are requested to report to the head of the Investigation Team at the Intelligence Response Team at Guzape Junction, Asokoro Extension, Abuja on 24th of July, 2018 at 8am for further investigation on the matter.”

In a response last night, Saraki described the invitation as a mere afterthought which is designed to achieve political purpose.

“The Police have obviously corrupted and politicized their investigations into the Offa robbery incident. They have turned it into an instrument for the party in power to suppress perceived opponents, witch-hunt issue for blackmailing people from freely choosing which platform on which they want to pursue their ambition and a matter for harassing the people whose exit from APC would harm the chances of the party in the forthcoming elections.

” I want to make it apparent that I have no hand in either the robbery incident or any criminal acitivity. The Police in their haste to embarrass me sent the invitation to me at 8pm and requested that I report to the station by 8am tomorrow morning. This obviously demonstrated their desperation as I do not see why they are now in a hurry.”, Saraki said .

(NAN)