“It was a foolish attempt”, Presidency reacts as armed robbers invade Aso Rock
The Presidency on Monday night confirmed the reported armed robbery attack on the residence of the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and the Admin Officer, Abubakar Maikano, inside the precinct of the Presidential Villa.
Mouthpiece NGR learnt that the incident on May 9 prompted Gambari and Maikano, the chief of staff and admin officer, respectively, to abandon their residences.
An anonymous source revealed, “Their houses were robbed and the robbers packed money and other valuable assets from both houses.”
It was not immediately clear whether or not valuable documents of state interest were carted away by the intruders, but credible news source noted that the residences were thoroughly ransacked.
“The robbers took away as much as possible from both places,” a security officer that confirmed the incident said. “What is more unfortunate is that no one has been arrested.”
Officials also said Mr Gambari was given an official residence at the Defence House, but has not been living there, preferring instead to live inside Aso Rock and be close to the president.
Nigeria’s presidential palace just east of the city centre has long been seen as highly fortified and far beyond the reach of burglars, bandits and other criminals currently holding the vast swathes of the country to ransom.
But as criminal activities overshadow other matters of national consequences, Mr Buhari has faced calls to act urgently before it would be too late.
Reacting, the Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu described the development as a mere attempt.
Shehu posted on his verified social media platforms that, “The Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari has confirmed that there “was a foolish attempt” to burgle his residence at 3:00am this morning but it turned out to be unsuccessful.
“Professor Gambari, whose house is on a street next to the Villa has assured that there is nothing to worry about from the incident.”