Gunmen Invade Gbemi Saraki's Abuja Residence

San Francisco, June 13, (THEWILL) – About eight gunmen in the wee hours of Sunday invaded the Panama Street, Maitama, Abuja residence of Kwara State senator and daughter of Dr. Olusola Saraki, Ms. Gbemisola Saraki in what appeared to be an assassination mission.

The senator, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport and interested in succeeding her brother, Bukola Saraki as governor of Kwara State, was however not at home when the gunmen arrived. THEWILL source in Abuja said Gbemisola is in the United States on holiday.

One of the senator’s aides who narrated the incident to newsmen said the men stormed the residence at about 1. a.m. and successfully overpowered security men and domestic staff attached to the residence asking, "Where is your madam? Where is your madam?"

The aide said when they were told 'madam' had gone abroad, the gunmen ransacked the entire house looking for her. After they had ascertained that Ms. Gbemisola was not on the property, one of them made a call to someone to report that the 'target' was not in the house.

The gunmen left the property an hour later after manhandling staff and security.

The police were reported to have visited the property at about 3. a.m., an hour after the gang had left the scene.

The Abuja Police Command spokesman, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu said they are treating the crime as a "case of burglary and attempted theft" until new information is uncovered.

But the Senate in a statement from its spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze said, "We received with shock news of the attempt on the life of Senator Saraki.

"Politics of violence and brigandage belong to our regrettable past and any attempt to return us to that inglorious era is unfortunate and completely unacceptable."

THEWILL could not reach the senator for comments.