More revelations are coming in from the arrested members of the gang that carried out the dastardly armed robbery in the sleeping town of Offa, Kwara State as the leader of the gang, dismissed Corporal Michael Adikwu, has owned up to killing the nine policemen shot dead during the operation.
No fewer than 30 persons were killed during the operation in which five banks were hit.
According to available information, the gang members, including Adikwu, who worked with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Kwara State before his dismissal for releasing armed robbers and his being sent to jail, and Kunle Ogunleye, popularly known as Arrow, have confessed to the part each person played in the robbery operation.
They were quizzed by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence and Response Team, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
Adikwu told the IRT operatives that his killing of the policemen was not a mistake, but quite deliberate.
Ogunleye said he killed two people during the operation.
Another member of the gang, simply identified as Abel, also 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.”
A police source said: “Adikwu, the dismissed SARS officer, while in prison, had been threatening to the hearing of other inmates that he would kill as many policemen as possible once he had the opportunity.
“He said that since police dismissed and made him go to him prison because he released armed robbers, that he too would deal with the police.”
The source added that Adikwu was the grand organiser of the robbery.
He was alleged to have recruited other members and had series of meetings with them.
A police source said: “The gang went to Offa three times on surveillance mission.
“The police station and banks were carefully studied.”
The source revealed that Adikwu led the first team to enter the police station, while others stayed outside, adding: “He led 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, Adikwu opened fire and killed the station guard.
“He killed 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.
“Adikwu alone killed more than 20.
“Adikwu entered the station with three of his gang members.
“Arrow was among them.
“They simply took those at the station by surprise.
“Immediately they entered, they opened fire and started shooting everyone.
“The attack on the police station was a vendetta led by the dismissed SARS officer.
“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.”
Ogunleye was said to have confessed to the IRT operatives: “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 next, killing everyone.
“We only gave him cover.”
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