Offa Bank Robbery Perpetrators Will Not Go Unpunished – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, on Sunday, in Kwara State vowed that the perpetrators of the armed robbery in Offa Local Government area of the state will be brought to book.

Several people were killed with many others injured last week Thursday when armed robbers raided five commercial banks along the Owode Market Area of the town. The armed robbers broke bank vaults and made away with several millions of naira but seven suspects linked to the robbery were later arrested by the police on Saturday.

The Minister, during his visit, condoled with families of the victims of the attack and the Nigeria Police force which lost some of its officers.

“What happened was quite unfortunate, but I can assure you that none of them will go unpunished. The team sent by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is already in town and they are going to ensure that they trace all the criminals.

“We condole with them (the victims) on the very unfortunate incident. We give them assurance that the Federal Government will continue to do its best to ensure the sanctity, security of lives and property.

“We sympathise and condole not just with the people of Offa but also the police who lost about nine gallant officers,” he said.

Mohammed, however, asked members of the public to be prompt in helping security agents with information about people suspected to be criminals. He said the bank robbery is a wakeup call.

“It is a very sad occasion, but it is also a wakeup call. We are all going to learn from the incident, both the public and government. These criminals are not ghosts, they live among us, it will help the police if timely information is given about criminals and people whose movement are suspicious.”

The traditional ruler in the state, Oloffa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, while receiving the Minister asked for more armoured personnel carriers and increased effort in community policing.

The monarch said the increased presence of mobile policemen will curb crime, noting that the number of policemen in the state is inadequate.