The Kwara State Government has reignited controversy over the 2018 Offa armed robbery, claiming that new evidence has emerged linking former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to the high-profile case.
In a statement issued on behalf of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the government alleged that fresh findings have strengthened earlier suspicions about Saraki’s connection to the robbery, which left dozens dead and shocked the nation.
While details of the purported evidence were not fully disclosed, the government insisted that the matter is now firmly within the purview of the judiciary, urging the former Senate President and others implicated to present their defence in court.
“The appropriate place to address these issues is before a competent court of law,” the statement said, adding that the administration remains committed to ensuring justice for victims of the attack.
The Offa robbery, which occurred in April 2018 in Kwara State, involved heavily armed assailants who targeted banks and police facilities, resulting in significant casualties and widespread outrage. The incident prompted a major investigation by security agencies, leading to multiple arrests and prosecutions.
At the time, Saraki denied any involvement, describing earlier allegations as politically motivated and without substance. His aides had consistently maintained that he had no connection to the suspects or the crime.
The latest claim by the state government is expected to trigger fresh political debate, particularly as it touches on one of Nigeria’s most notorious criminal incidents in recent years.
Legal observers note that any new evidence would need to meet the threshold of admissibility and credibility in court before it can significantly alter the course of the case.
As the situation unfolds, attention is likely to shift to the courts, where the weight of the allegations—and any supporting evidence—will ultimately be tested.
