The leaders of the robbery gang that struck banks in Offa in Kwara on April 5 are making startling confessions. The robbery led to the death of more t
The leaders of the robbery gang that struck banks in Offa in Kwara on April 5 are making startling confessions. The robbery led to the death of more than 30 persons, including policemen and loss of millions of Naira. At least 22 suspected in connection with the bank robbery, including the ring leaders, are currently in detention for investigations.
A dismissed Corporal in the Nigeria Police, Mr. Micheal Adikwu, lead the operation. He was assisted by another leader, Mr. Kunle Ogunleye aka Arrow, another named Abel and others. They have confessed to the operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence and Response Team (IRT), led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Abba Kyari.
Adikwu, formerly working with the Kwara State Police Command, SARS unit, before he was dismissed for allowing suspected armed robbers detained, to escape and who organised and led the bank robbery operation, has confessed to have killed over 20 people, majority of them policemen.
Adikwu told IRT operatives that his killing of the policemen was not a mistake, but quite deliberate. He has been embittered since his dismissal and vowed to deal with policemen. While in prison, he threatened to the hearing of other inmates, that he will kill as many policemen as possible once he has the opportunity.
A member of the gang, Kunle Ogunleye aka Arrow, also confessed to have killed two people. Another member of the gang, Abel, confessed to have killed five people. Abel reportedly said: “I killed five people, but I sprayed bullets on many people. I don’t know if they died. I can only confirm the death of five people, who I witnessed myself.”
They also confessed to have gone to Offa three times on surveillance mission. The police station and banks were carefully studied. Adikwu led the first team to enter the police station, while others stayed outside. He confessed he led the three gang members into the station. The four of them walked into the station like they came to lodge a complaint. They concealed their rifles in their clothes and immediately they entered the police station premises, opened fire and killed the station guard.
Adikwu confessed killing nine people in the police station and carried their rifles. They confessed to have taken tramadol and other drugs before embarking on the operation. They killed over 30 people on that day. After the operation, he went to each of the banks which were being robbed to issue orders. He was captured on CCTV shouting at his members, telling them what to do and what not to do,” a source said.
Arrow is quoted to have said: “I was among the three people that entered the police station with Adikwu, but I didn’t shoot or kill anyone. It was Adikwu that shot and killed all the policemen. He went from one office to the other, killing everyone. We only gave him cover.”
NAN
