The robbers, numbering about five, stormed the building about 1:30a.m.
They were able to gain entrance into the compound by scaling the wall of the house. They also cut through burglar-proof on one of the windows. The robbers later broke the ceiling and landed in Amuka’s bedroom. The publisher was rushed to a private hospital, where he was still receiving treatment.
The bandits were said to have carted away huge sums of money and valuables from the house. The robbers escaped in an ash coloured car. The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, rushed to the scene with the Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operations, Edgar Imohimi.
A visibly angry Owoseni assured that the fleeing bandits would be arrested. It was gathered that the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, called Amuka and sympathised with him.
A police source said: “At least 10 persons had so far been arrested. The suspects had all been transferred to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ikeja, following a directive from the IG. Guards at Vanguard’s publisher compound and other gates in the area, including some of his domestic staff, are being interrogated. ” Incidentally, yesterday’s robbery attack was the second time Amuka’s home would be raided by robbers in four years.
According to the police source, the publisher was repeatedly ordered to “bring the money! Where’s the money?” The robbers threatened to kill him if he did not ‘bring the money.’ They hit him with dangerous objects. The source added: “The robbers were speaking Hausa language, while ransacking the house.”
The robbers, according to sources, were armed with two pistols, iron rods and machetes among other weapons. They stole an unspecified amount in the United States dollars meant for Amuka’s planned trip to South Africa, his phones and electronic gadgets.
One of the private security men attached to Amuka’s home said: “I was resting on a chair at the gate when I saw five young men moving from the wall close to the gate towards the house. I accosted them, but they subdued me and my mate.
They tied our hands and covered our faces. One of them kept watch over us at the gate and the rest went inside the house only to come out about 45 minutes later. They ordered us to unlock the main gate. As soon as we obeyed them, they left the compound. We later heard a car zoom off.”
The Commander, Rapid Respond Squad (RRS), Mr. Tunde Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and his men were the first security personnel to reach the scene. Efforts to get the robbers were hindered by closure of all the gates leading to Amuka’s home.
The Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Anthony Police Station, Mr. Chima Agha, a Superintendent of Police, attempted to block highway when he got the radio message, but by then, the bandits had escaped.
Heavily armed security men have been stationed at Amuka’s home and at the hospital. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the robbery attack on Amuka. She said: “Our policemen at Anthony Division, in the early hours of the day, received a distress call.
They moved in quickly; but the gates inhibited the quick movement into his residence. Before police could enter, the robbers had escaped. “Meanwhile, the command has started a comprehensive investigation.
We understand that his residence had been attacked in such manner four years ago. We want to unravel what transpired. The command is hopeful that in a short while, we would get to the root of the matter. We have made some arrests but we are investigating them to ascertain their involvement.”http://newtelegraphonline.com/vanguards-publisher-hospitalised-robbery-attack/
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