Police in volte-face, ask Saraki to hand in written response on allegation by Offa robbery suspects

The Nigerian Police on Monday made a u-turn in its determination to interrogate Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki at its Guzape, Abuja, office in connection with the series of robberies, which took place at Offa, Kwara State on April 5, 2018.

Thirty three persons including nine policemen were killed in the robberies. The police later made arrests of suspects some of who claimed to be working as thugs for Dr. Saraki.

Saraki had on Sunday night denied involvement in the robberies and promised to honour the invitation of the police is properly extended. On Monday afternoon, he said via his Twitter handle that he had informed hisADC to get the invitation from the police:

“I have just informed my ADC to get the letter of invitation from @PoliceNG in respect of the allegations raised yesterday — so that I can immediately honour the alleged invitation”.

A few hours later, the Senate President tweeted that the police had backtracked on its decision to invite to their office for questioning.

“Following my earlier tweet, I have received the letter from @PoliceNG. They are no longer asking me to appear at any station, but to respond in writing to the allegations within 48 hours — which I plan to do,” Mr Saraki said.

It was not immediately clear why the police made the u-turn but it may not be unconnected with the intervention of Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. For some hours today, Prof. Osinbajo held a closed door meeting with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, Diretor General, Department of State Services, Lawal Daura, and Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Malami.