Offa Robbery: Governor Abdulrazaq’s Disputed Claims Under Scrutiny

In a significant escalation of political tensions in Kwara State, former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has strongly refuted allegations connecting him to the infamous Offa robbery case. This response follows a front-page advertorial published in several national newspapers by Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

According to Saraki’s media office, the governor’s actions amount to a “media trial” rather than proper litigation, suggesting that the administration recognizes its case cannot withstand judicial scrutiny. Despite this, Saraki has publicly declared his readiness to meet the governor in court, as stated in his April 17 press statement.

The statement from Saraki’s camp questions the governor’s priorities amid pressing security challenges in Kwara State. While the region reportedly faces unprecedented levels of violence—with approximately 400 people killed between January 2025 and March 2026 and numerous kidnappings—critics argue that Governor Abdulrazaq has directed his energy toward political vendettas rather than addressing public safety concerns.

The conflict appears to have intensified following Saraki’s appearance on Channels TV, where he criticized the state’s handling of security matters. Saraki’s office maintains that these charges are retaliation for his outspokenness, but asserts that such tactics will not silence him from advocating for Kwara residents.

“If the framed-up charges on the Offa robbery case which Dr. Saraki knows nothing about are the price he has to pay for speaking out and calling out the government to do more in protecting the interests of the people of Kwara State, the Kwara State governor can be assured that Dr. Saraki will remain undeterred,” the statement read.

The media release further claims that Governor Abdulrazaq attempted to persuade victims’ families to file civil cases against Saraki, but they rejected what they perceived as efforts to “politicize their pains.”

A key point of contention involves legal advice from the Federal Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Saraki’s team refutes the governor’s characterization of this advice as “interim,” asserting that the August 23, 2018 legal opinion was based on the final police investigation report submitted on July 27, 2018. Both this and an earlier June 22 advice reportedly found no evidence connecting Saraki to the robbery.

The statement also addresses alleged confessional statements, noting that convicted perpetrators later disowned these statements in court, claiming they were coerced and offered incentives to implicate Saraki.

Political observers note that Governor Abdulrazaq has approximately 12 months remaining in office, with Saraki’s team suggesting the case represents a “desperate move” by a leader facing mounting political challenges. They allege the governor is confronting internal party division, diminishing popularity, and potential international scrutiny over human rights concerns regarding the Woro killings.

“Under his watch and with a clear pattern of official negligence, about 400 people had been killed between January 2025 and March 2026. Many others have been kidnapped. The governor knows there are petitions in the international human rights arena alleging official negligence in the Woro killings in which 176 people were murdered,” the statement detailed.

Saraki’s media office concluded by urging supporters to remain calm, expressing confidence that he will overcome these allegations as he has previous legal challenges. The statement also referenced an unresolved certificate forgery allegation against Governor Abdulrazaq from 2019, suggesting it would be revisited after his immunity expires.

The dispute highlights the increasingly fractious political environment in Kwara State as the governor’s term approaches its final year, with both sides showing no signs of de-escalation.