Saraki Denies Offa Robbery Link, Accuses AbdulRazaq of Witch-Hunt

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has strongly denied any involvement in the 2018 Offa armed robbery, accusing Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, of reviving “baseless allegations” to pursue a political witch-hunt.

In a statement issued on Friday, Saraki described attempts to initiate criminal proceedings against him as “insidious,” insisting he has no direct or indirect link to the crime or any form of criminal activity. He said he was compelled to respond due to growing public concern and what he described as deliberate efforts to mislead Nigerians.

Saraki further alleged that the Offa robbery case was politicised from the outset, claiming it was used during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari as a tool to weaken his political influence ahead of the 2019 general elections. According to him, the renewed claims are part of a broader attempt to tarnish his image following his recent comments on insecurity in Kwara State.

The former Senate President also cited legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, noting that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had twice found no evidence linking him to the Offa robbery. He explained that the reports concluded there was no nexus between him and the suspects and that no prima facie case could be established for offences including armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and culpable homicide.

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He added that suspects arrested in connection with the robbery were prosecuted and convicted, with their convictions upheld on appeal, while the matter is currently pending before the Supreme Court. Saraki argued that revisiting the case despite these outcomes amounts to an abuse of judicial process.

Saraki also vowed to challenge any fresh move against him in court, stating that his legal team is prepared to defend his innocence. He further alleged that attempts were made to involve families of victims in civil actions against him, but claimed those efforts failed.

The Offa robbery incident, which occurred in April 2018 in Offa, involved coordinated attacks on banks and police facilities, resulting in the deaths of several people, including security personnel. The case drew nationwide attention and led to multiple arrests by the Nigeria Police Force.

The renewed controversy highlights ongoing political tensions in Kwara State between Saraki and Governor AbdulRazaq, with analysts suggesting the dispute may be linked to evolving political alignments and early positioning ahead of future elections.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Government has not issued a detailed response to Saraki’s latest claims.

Saraki Denies Offa Robbery Link, Accuses AbdulRazaq of Witch-Hunt

Troops Arrest Bandit Kingpin’s Deputy, Wife in Gombe

Nigerian troops have arrested the deputy to a notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Auta, alongside his wife in Gombe State following an intelligence-driven operation that tracked the suspects across multiple locations in northern Nigeria.

Security sources confirmed that the suspects, identified as Bala—popularly known as “Pakapaka”—and his wife were intercepted after fleeing from the Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State, where the criminal group was previously believed to have maintained a hideout.

The arrest followed sustained intelligence surveillance and coordinated ground tracking by security operatives targeting fleeing members of the armed network.

The suspects are currently in military custody and are undergoing interrogation to determine their level of involvement in the group’s activities, logistics operations, and possible links to other cells operating across state boundaries in the North-Central region.

According to counter-terrorism analyst Zagozola Makama, the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle bandit networks that frequently relocate across forest corridors linking Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, and Gombe states to evade security pressure.

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Follow-Up Operations in Duguri Axis

In a related development, troops reportedly conducted follow-up patrols around Bayar village in the Duguri axis after intelligence suggested that the main bandit kingpin, Kachalla Auta, may have fled into the area.

However, security sources confirmed that no contact was made during the search operation.

Despite the absence of direct engagement, troops have maintained heavy presence in the area, carrying out sustained patrols aimed at restricting the movement of armed groups and preventing regrouping.

Sustained Pressure on Bandit Networks

Security officials say ongoing operations are part of a wider strategy to disrupt criminal networks operating in forested areas across Plateau, Taraba, and neighbouring states.

The Nigerian military has intensified surveillance, reconnaissance missions, and joint patrols in recent months as part of efforts to degrade bandit command structures and cut off escape routes used by fleeing fighters.

Authorities say investigations into the arrested suspects are ongoing, while efforts continue to locate other members of the group still at large.

Troops Arrest Bandit Kingpin’s Deputy, Wife in Gombe

Power Supply Drops in Lagos as Transmission Faults Trigger Load Shedding

Electricity supply across parts of Lagos has been significantly disrupted following a reduction in power allocation from the national grid, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has said.

In a public notice issued on Friday, the distribution company attributed the development to forced outages on two major transmission خطوط—Benin–Egbin and Oshogbo–Ikeja West 330kV lines—which have constrained the volume of electricity available for distribution.

According to EKEDC, the outages have resulted in a sharp drop in power supply, making it necessary to implement extensive load shedding across its network to manage the limited electricity.

“These constraints have led to a reduction in power allocation, resulting in widespread load shedding across our network,” the company stated.

The affected transmission lines are operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which is responsible for the bulk transfer of electricity from generation companies to distribution firms nationwide.

Industry analysts note that the Benin–Egbin and Oshogbo–Ikeja West lines are critical infrastructure for power supply into Lagos and surrounding areas. Any disruption along these routes often has immediate and far-reaching consequences for consumers.

Residents and businesses in EKEDC coverage areas have already begun experiencing prolonged outages and erratic supply, raising concerns about economic losses and disruptions to daily activities.

EKEDC, however, appealed for patience, assuring customers that efforts are ongoing to restore normal supply once the transmission faults are resolved.

The company did not provide a specific timeline for restoration but reiterated its commitment to keeping customers informed as the situation evolves.

Power Supply Drops in Lagos as Transmission Faults Trigger Load Shedding