The presidency has confirmed that burglars tried to enter the official residence of the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, around the presidential villa, Abuja in the early hours of Monday.
The attempt was made by the men of the underworld about 3am, but they were reportedly unsuccessful.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said that there was nothing to worry about.
The presidential aide was however silent on whether any arrest was made given the level of tight security network around the residence.
Shehu said the Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari confirmed that there ‘was a foolish attempt’ to burgle his residence but it turned out to be unsuccessful.
An online newspaper, The Gazette, had exclusively reported that armed men suspected to be robbers had raided Gambari’s residence. The report claimed that the robbers also raided the residence of the CoS’ Admin Officer.
It said, “Armed men suspected to be robbers invaded the residences of two senior aides to President Muhammadu Buhari inside the precinct of the Presidential Villa, administration officials and security sources have told Peoples Gazette, raising fears that the rising insecurity across the country was drawing closer to the elite than previously estimated.
“The incident on May 9 (yesterday) prompted Ibrahim Gambari and Abubakar Maikano, the chief of staff and admin officer, respectively, to abandon their residences, sources said.
“Their houses were robbed and the robbers packed money and other valuable assets from both houses,” an aide to told The Gazette. “It was not immediately clear whether or not valuable documents of state interest were carted away by the intruders, but The Gazette heard 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 west 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.
“No explanation was immediately rendered for the invasion and why it was not prevented by the ubiquitous contingent of security officers, especially those of the State Security Service, guarding the fortress.”
