By Kelechi David
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 Newsmen, raising fears that the rising insecurity across the country was drawing closer to the elite than previously estimated.
According to a report, the incident on May 9 prompted Ibrahim Gambari and Abubakar Maikano, the Chief of Staff and Admin Officer to abandon their residences.
“Their houses were robbed and the robbers packed money and other valuable assets from both houses.”
It was not immediately clear whether or not valuable documents of state interest were carted away by the intruders, but it was 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.
But as criminal activities overshadow other matters of national consequences, President Buhari has faced calls to act urgently before it would be too late.
Armed bandits have abducted thousands of citizens since January alone, claiming billions in ransom payments at an alarming rate.
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 Department for State Security, guarding the fortress.
Mr Gambari did not immediately return a request seeking comments.
A spokesman for the DSS said he would not comment on the matter and a spokeswoman for the Police in Abuja abruptly disconnected the call upon hearing enquiry was about a security breach at the Presidential Villa.
