The families of those killed in the 2018 Offa robbery have filed a lawsuit at the Ilorin High Court, seeking N2.1 billion in compensation from the Kwara State government on Thursday.
The plaintiffs Abraham Oluwafemi Makinde, Lateef Taiye Raheem, Adeshina Felemo Ayesanmi, and Monsurat Aramide Adebayo allege that the state government, along with former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, had political ties to the attackers.
The robbery, which occurred on April 5, 2018, targeted the Owode Police Station and multiple banks in Offa, resulting in the deaths of over 35 people, including civilians and police officers.
The claimants accuse the state government of complicity, alleging that stolen items were hidden at the Government House under Ahmed’s administration.
They also cite confessions from convicted robbers who claimed to be political operatives linked to Saraki’s political network.
One convict, Ayoade Akinnibosun, allegedly stated that the group was used as political thugs to disrupt elections when their sponsors lost.
The families argue that these alleged connections emboldened the robbers to carry out the deadly attack.
Makinde, a claimant, is the widower of Grace, a pregnant police officer killed during the robbery. Raheem lost his brother, Fatai, the primary breadwinner for their family. Ayesanmi is the son of the late ASP Ayesanmi, and Adebayo is the widow of Kaseem, a bank employee who was also killed.
The families, represented by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) J.J. Usman, Yakubu Philemon, M.I. Abubakar, and A.O.F. Philip, are demanding N1.5 billion in compensation, N500 million in general damages, and N100 million for legal fees.
