Offa robbery: Reps seek urgent, thorough investigation

-Heavily armed gang of robbers reportedly launched the attack using a convoy of about 10 vehicles

-The call to defend themselves indicative of loss of faith in government

House of Representatives, yesterday, called on the Nigeria police to launch an urgent and thorough investigation into the deadly bank robbery that occurred in Offa, Kwara State on Th ursday, with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

The House, while condemning the robbery which reportedly left about 30 dead, and another 50 injured, also directed its committee on police affairs to investigate the incident, and report back. It has also urged the police to make a holistic review of location of its stations all over the country, as it commiserated with the people of Off a, and the Nigerian police on the loss of human and material resources occasioned by the robbery.

A gang of heavily armed robbers had, reportedly launched the attack, using a convoy of about 10 vehicles, with the invasion of the police station located in the town, and later killed about 16 policemen on duty, before attacking banks located within, and many more, including bank staff members killed.

The House’s resolution came following a motion on matters of urgent public importance, sponsored on the unfortunate development by Hon. Olayonu Danladi, who expressed worries that a situation where “the security system could be easily overwhelmed and personnel gruesomely killed, is an issue that called for serious concern”.

Making contribution, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, said it was time the government stop making excuses and blaming the security challenges on certain elements. He noted that the call by some persons on Nigerians to defend themselves was indicative of loss of faith by the people in the government. Several other members, including Emmanuel Orker-Jev and Aliyu Ahman- Pategi spoke in condemning the act, as they also lamented the helplessness of the police, which they argued were poorly equipped.

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