From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Offa Youth Progressive, has described the Kwara State Government’s withdrawal of 18 out of the 20 original charges against former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, over the 2018 Offa bank robbery, as a vindication of its longstanding position that the two former leaders were wrongly linked to the incident.
The group said the development had reinforced its earlier position that the allegations against Saraki and Ahmed were politically motivated and aimed at damaging their reputations for partisan interests.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr Adekola Tadenikawo, the group said it had consistently maintained that the former leaders had no connection with the robbery, describing attempts to associate them with the tragedy as a political campaign to discredit them.
It noted that although the government withdrew 18 of the original charges, it introduced two new charges, bringing the total number of charges in the amended case to four.
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The group, however, said the development raised serious questions about the handling of the case, insisting that justice must be pursued strictly on the basis of evidence and due process.
It condemned what it described as the politicisation of the tragedy, stressing that the people of Offa deserved justice, compassion and genuine concern rather than the use of their painful experience as a weapon for political gains.
The group also urged residents of Offa to reject any government or political party that exploits the 2018 robbery incident for electoral advantage, particularly during election seasons.
It warned against turning the loss of lives, destruction of businesses and suffering of affected families into campaign materials for politicians seeking public support.
The group congratulated Saraki and Ahmed on the withdrawal of the armed robbery-related charges, expressing optimism that the remaining legal issues would be resolved fairly and in accordance with the law.
It further called on the Kwara State Government, to demonstrate greater sensitivity to the feelings of Offa residents and allow the judicial process to run its course without political interference.
The 2018 Offa bank robbery, which claimed several lives and left families and businesses devastated, remains one of the most traumatic security incidents in the history of the community.
