Anger rages over Police position on Ekweremadu attack

Comments by the Police that preliminary investigations indicated that what occurred in the residence of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu was attempted burglary and not attempted assassination has elicited angry reactions from the public.
The angry reactions on social media come as Ekweremadu threatened to release video clips of the break-in and attempted assassination.
Recall that News Agency of Nigeria reports quoted the police as saying that it has arrested a suspect in connection with the attempted burglary in the Abuja residence of Ekweremadu.
According to the police spokesman Jimoh Moshood, the arrested suspect, Mohammed Yusuf, from Kaura Namoda in Zamfara state attempted the burglary, along with one Ali, who is now at large.
He said the duo had earlier broken into another home belonging to Mr. Haliru Adamu at Denis Osadebey Crescent, within the same estate, where they stole phones, jewelleries and other valuables.
NAN reports further that the residence of the Deputy Senate President was their second target, the police said.
Moshood said Yusuf and his accomplice broke into the Apo Legislative Quarters home of Ekweremadu at about 0430hrs.
“The Police have commenced investigation into the crime and the principal suspect Mohammed Yusuf of Kaura Namoda has volunteered confessional statement after interrogation admitting to the crime and mentioned one Ali (other name unknown) now at large, who escaped from the scene to have carried out the crime along with him.
“Exhibits recovered from them include a motor jack, big screw driver, a big rod, a small kitchen knife and other house breaking implements.
“Preliminary investigation carried out so far did not reveal assassination attempt on the life of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his family but a case of burglary.
“However, investigation is ongoing to determine if there is any other motive behind the offence.
According to the police, both Ekweremadu and Adamu have made statements about the two incidents.
Ekweremadu on Wednesday said he may be forced to actualise his threat to release the video clip, if the Police fail to withdraw its claim that what happened in his house was a mere case of burglary.
Senators described as hasty the conclusion that the incident was a case of burglary.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), said “for the police to quickly without interviewing the very person for whom this incident happened, to come out and determine that it was a burglary, actually troubles the mind. We know in this country that Bola Ige was killed in his home. We know and also it is a fact the former gubernatorial candidate, Funsho Williams was also killed in his home.
“Our fear today is why the police are engaging in a cover up? Why is the police continually at any time that it concerns people that do not have presidential oversight or cover, they quickly come out and have a report.”
In his own remarks on the matter, Ekweremadu said: “I am at a loss because as we speak, they have not taken any statement from my son, who was hospitalised; they have not gone to the hospital to find out what exactly happened to my son. They have invited security personnel attached to me, who reported yesterday. Some are still reporting this morning.
“They (the Police) looked at the CCTV tapes operated by the DSS and a staff of my house; apparently they were not able to figure it out. So, it was easy for them to quickly dismiss what really happened.”
“Unfortunately for them, later yesterday evening, a technician came and was able to figure out and was able to produce the CCTV footage, including how they gained entrance into my house and how they got a way into my room and the fight between them, my wife and my son and all the efforts we made to save our lives. I am happy that we have that in our custody, which the police is not aware of.
“I may now be forced to release those footage to the media, international community so that Nigerians and ordinary people will judge whether it was a case of burglary or attempt to kill me or whether they just want to come to my house to have a breakfast or have a handshake with me.”