Tobias Sylvester
The Senate disagrees with The Nigeria Police Force over claims that the alleged assassination attempt on the life of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekeremadu at his Abuja residence, was a mere burglary and not an assassination attempt. They passed a resolution urging the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremmadu has also rubbished the claims made by the Police and threatened to release the video of what happened that day at his residence to the public if the Police do not withdraw its report and reveal the true intention of the armed men. Read the report HERE.
The Senate passed a resolution on Wednesday, November 8, 2018. The resolution followed a motion moved by Abia South PDP Senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe, who faulted the preliminary report of the police on the incident.
Abaribe accused the police of carrying out a hurried preliminary investigation without getting to the root of the matter. He said the investigation carried out by the police was not thorough.
He alleged that the police arrived at their conclusion that the incident was a burglary without getting the statements of Ekweremadu, his wife and son, who were said to be at home at the time.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu gave his contribution by giving his colleagues an update on the incident.
He said the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations (Habila Joshak) finally came to his house at 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The DIG, according to him, came in company with the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, and said he was sent by the Inspector-General of Police.
“I showed them round, and of course they were very sympathetic over what happened.
“So, I was shocked when I woke up this morning to read that police said what happened in my house was a mere case of burglary.
“I’m at a loss because as we speak, they have not taken statements from my son, who was hospitalised; they have not gone to the hospital to find out exactly what happened to my son.
“They have invited security personnel attached to me, few reported yesterday, some are still reporting this morning, including my ADC.
They have not taken their statements, and they came to the conclusion that what happened was a mere case of burglary.”
Ekweremadu alleged that the police examined CCTV footage operated by a DSS staff in his house, but couldn’t figure out what happened, that’s why it was easy for them to quickly dismiss the incident as a case of burglary.
“Unfortunately for them, later yesterday evening, the technician came and was able to produce the CCTV footage of everything that happened.
“This includes how the people gained entry into my house, how they got all the way up to my room, the fight that ensued between them, myself, my wife, my son, and all the efforts we made to save our lives.
“I am happy we have that in our custody which the police is not aware of, and I am sure Nigerians will be shocked by what transpired.”
The Senate deputy president threatened to release the footage to the public. According to him, Nigerians should be able to judge whether it was a case of burglary or an attempt to kill him.
Ekweremadu said all he wanted was for the police to get to the root of the matter to be properly guided on how to protect the lives of other Nigerians.
Abia North PDP Senator Mao Ohuabunwa also dismissing the police report He said a mere burglar would not take the risk of invading a highly secure placed like the residence of the deputy president of the Senate. He urged the police to be more professional by conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
Kogi West PDP Senator Dino Melaye said by dismissing the invasion as a mere burglary, the police were telling Nigerians that it was a normal thing. He described the matter as a very serious issue that should not be treated with levity.
Kaduna Centra PRP-I Senator Shehu Sani said the police needed to be alive to their responsibilities.
The Senate President Bukola Saraki ruled the motion by saying there was need to address the issue of professionalism in the police, in the Police Reform Bill currently before the Senate.
The lawmakers, therefore, also resolved that the bill should be fast-tracked.
