Offa Robbery: Community Donates N700m Barrack To Police

The Offa community in Kwara yesterday handed over a N700 million modern Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) Barack to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, following the April 5 dastardly robbery attack on the town.
Our correspondent reports the ultra modern 68 Mobile Police Squadron Base built by the community was handed over to the IGP by the Offa monarch, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Okikiola.
The ceremony which took place at the parade ground of the barrack was attended by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Alhaji Hamza Bello, among others
In a welcome address, the Offa monarch said following the robbery attack, he contacted the IGP who informed him that the incident occurred largely due to lack of adequate manpower.
He said the community under the aegis of Offa Descendant Union (ODU), therefore, resolved to mobilise funds to build the barrack to forestall re-occurrence in the town and surrounding communities.
The Oba said when he informed the IGP about the decision of the community to build the ultra modern barrack and hand it over before the end of the year, the Police boss doubted the possibility considering the huge funds involved.
“On April 5 exactly 267 days ago, dare devil armed ribbers invaded our community, went into our banks carted away monies, leaving in their trail of sorrows, tears and blood.
‘Thirty three members of the community were killed in cold blood, among them a pregnant woman and children, while some sustained injuries in varying degrees.
“The singular event has been adjudged as the cruelest armed robbery and worst in Nigerian history.
“What we are commissioning today is a sacrifice borne out of the sweat of our people,” Okikiola said.