It started like a rumour, the news of thieves forcing their way into the residence of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, President Buhari’s Chief of Staff. The Presidency later confirmed the incident.
Monday’s “foolish attempt” (as the Presidency described in a statement) to burgle the chief of staff’s residence only tells how insecure everyone is becoming in Nigeria. It’s a known fact that the seat of power everywhere in the world is the safest place. The Three Arms Zone and precisely the Villa in Abuja, ought to be the most secured places in the Federal Capital.
I was opportune to visit Aso Rock twice and used two of its entrance/exit roads. I know the kind of heavy security deployed at both points for checks.
Many Nigerians must have asked how it was possible for the perpetrators to pass security checkpoints and the security at the residence’s gate and forced their way in? Were the security men guarding the residence sleeping? Was there not security alarm that could trigger an alarm?
The final question is: If the residence of the President’s principal officer, which is in the villa could be broken into then how safe is the house of an ordinary Nigerian?
Safiyanu Danladi Mairiga wrote from Gombe State