Kwara Govt Links Bukola Saraki to 2018 Offa Robbery Case

The Kwara State Government has urged former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and other accused persons to defend themselves in court over fresh allegations linking them to the 2018 Offa armed robbery case, insisting that the matter must be resolved strictly through judicial proceedings.

The state government, in a statement issued by Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said the new 20-count charges filed on April 9, 2026, also involve former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, his former Chief of Staff Yusuf Abdulwahab, and aide Alabi Olalekan Ahmed.

The government alleged that the defendants supported and supplied arms to individuals connected to the deadly robbery attack that occurred in Offa, Kwara State in 2018, an incident that led to multiple deaths and widespread public outrage at the time.

The administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq stated that the fresh charges are based on evidence already obtained during earlier investigations and court proceedings related to the robbery case. It claimed that weapons and other exhibits allegedly linked to the crime were recovered from the Government House in 2018 and later presented as evidence during the prosecution of the principal suspects.

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The government also referenced the Court of Appeal judgment which upheld the conviction of some of the suspects, including Ayo Akinnibosun, who allegedly made confessional statements during trial linking certain political figures to the incident.

The state government maintained that the decision to file new charges is not politically motivated but a constitutional responsibility to act on available evidence. Commissioner Olukoju stressed that ignoring such evidence would amount to dereliction of duty, adding that all individuals must be treated equally under the law, regardless of political status or influence. She explained that only the courts have the authority to determine guilt or innocence, not the government or public opinion, and insisted that the prosecution process must be strictly followed.

In response, Saraki has denied any involvement in the Offa robbery case, describing the renewed charges as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish his image and reputation. He maintained that the allegations are unfounded and expressed confidence that he would clear his name in court, insisting that the matter is being used to pursue political interests.

The 2018 Offa robbery remains one of the most violent incidents in Kwara State’s recent history, involving coordinated attacks on banks that resulted in multiple deaths, including security personnel and civilians. Several suspects were arrested and prosecuted, with some convictions later upheld on appeal. The case has continued to generate political controversy due to alleged links between some convicted individuals and high-profile political actors.

The Kwara State Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability and justice, stressing that the new charges are based on its constitutional duty to act on credible evidence. It added that only the courts have the authority to determine guilt or innocence, urging all defendants to present their defence in line with due legal process.

Kwara Govt Links Bukola Saraki to 2018 Offa Robbery Case

Gunmen Kill Three Mourners, Kidnap Two in Fresh Benue Attack

Gunmen on Saturday night attacked mourners returning from a burial in Sati-Ikov Council Ward of Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing three people and abducting two others in what residents described as a worsening wave of violence in the area.

Residents who spoke on Sunday said the attackers ambushed the victims near the community shortly after the burial ceremony, opening fire on them and causing panic.

A local source, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, said the assailants—suspected to be armed militias—targeted the mourners along the road leading into Sati-Ikov.

“Some mourners coming from a burial were attacked near our community on Saturday night. Three of them were killed, and two others—a male and a female—were kidnapped,” the source said.

The lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Simon Gabo, confirmed the incident and condemned the persistent attacks, describing the situation as alarming.

He identified the deceased as Bem Msughter from Mbakyombo (Daav-Ikov), Aondo Chia from Mbamegh (Daav-Ikov), and Sunday Terwase from Mbakyor (Daav-Ikov).

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According to him, the abducted victims include Aondongu Amos, a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator based in Sati-Ikov, and Mrs. Arinze, an Igbo patent medicine trader in the area.

Gabo, who also serves as the Deputy Majority Chief Whip of the Assembly, said the latest attack is part of a troubling pattern of violence that has intensified over the past two weeks.

“I received a call from my people around 4 a.m. that mourners returning from a burial ran into armed men. The attackers shot and killed three of them, robbed others, and kidnapped two people,” he said.

He further revealed that similar attacks have occurred repeatedly in recent weeks, including an incident about two weeks ago in which three persons were also killed.

The lawmaker attributed the recurring violence to armed groups believed to be crossing into Ushongo from neighbouring Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

“They cross from there to our side, carry out attacks, and retreat. The terrain is difficult—mountainous with dense forests—which makes security operations challenging,” he explained.

Security sources indicated that the incident has been reported to the police, and operatives have since been deployed to the affected community to restore calm and begin investigations.

Efforts to get official confirmation from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached.

The latest killings have heightened fear among residents, with many calling for increased security presence and more proactive measures to curb the growing insecurity in rural parts of the state.

The attack underscores ongoing concerns over rising violence in Benue communities, particularly in border areas where armed groups exploit difficult terrain to launch assaults and evade capture.

Gunmen Kill Three Mourners, Kidnap Two in Fresh Benue Attack

Katsina Residents Repel Bandits as 10 Fleeing Civilians Killed

Residents of Gurbi community in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State mounted a coordinated resistance against bandits, successfully preventing the attackers from gaining entry into the town, but not without casualties as at least 10 people were killed in the surrounding area.

Local sources said the assailants stormed the area in the evening, sparking panic among residents. However, villagers quickly mobilised in defence of their homes, forcing the bandits to retreat from Gurbi after failing to breach the community.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers redirected their violence toward fleeing civilians.

According to him, the bandits opened fire on residents attempting to escape, killing multiple people in nearby Nagodi village.

“As I speak to you now, there are more than 10 corpses in Nagodi area, which is a village in front of Gurbi. After they left, the dead bodies were transported back to Gurbi,” he said.

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Another source close to the palace of the community leader confirmed that the bandits were unable to infiltrate Gurbi due to the resistance mounted by locals, but noted that those who fled were exposed to deadly attacks.

The incident has further raised concerns over delayed response by security agencies. Residents claimed that authorities had been alerted ahead of the attack following intelligence reports but failed to act promptly.

“We had earlier alerted security operatives when we heard rumours of the attack, but they did not respond until after our people were killed. Only then did they arrive and begin evacuating the bodies,” the source added.

Security operatives were later deployed to the area to restore calm and assist in evacuation efforts, though officials are yet to release an official casualty figure or detailed statement on the incident.

The attack comes amid a renewed wave of banditry in Kankara, an area that has experienced repeated security breaches in recent weeks. Just days earlier, suspected bandits reportedly attacked Zangon Kankara, setting houses and a vehicle ablaze and abducting two residents.

Kankara has remained one of the flashpoints in Katsina State, with rural communities frequently targeted by armed groups involved in kidnappings, raids, and other violent crimes.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the police nor the office of the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, had issued an official statement.

The situation remains tense, with residents calling for improved security presence and faster response to intelligence warnings to prevent further loss of lives.

Katsina Residents Repel Bandits as 10 Fleeing Civilians Killed