On Thursday, October 3, the Offa Community in Kwara State urged the government to act swiftly on the recent court judgment regarding the armed robbery that took place on April 5, 2018.
They are also demanding a more thorough investigation into the case, expressing concerns about missing individuals allegedly involved in the crime.
At a press conference, the Chairman of the Offa Descendants Union (ODU), Alhaji Olanrewaju Shittu, and other leaders shared their disappointment with the police investigation. They believe that important figures named by the convicted robbers during the trial, who were said to have supplied weapons and logistics, were not sufficiently addressed in the judgment.
Last week, Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court sentenced five men—Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran—to death by hanging for their involvement in the robbery. This attack tragically resulted in the deaths of 33 people, including police officers and pregnant women, and involved the theft of millions of naira.
While the ODU welcomed the death sentences for the culprits, they stressed that the investigation remains “incomplete” and seems to protect certain individuals identified by the robbers. The community is urging the police and the state government to reopen investigations to ensure that all individuals involved, including those who provided vehicles and other support, face justice.
In their statement to the Commissioner of Police, the ODU leaders declared that Offa will not rest until complete justice is served. They called for a thorough investigation that addresses “all factors, notions, and personalities” linked to the case, to dispel any belief that the investigation was lacking.
The community reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring accountability for all involved in this tragic incident. “This is Offa Community’s Unnegotiable Demand and Prayer,” they concluded.
