Some yet-to-be revealed gunmen, on Wednesday, raided the Ikeja, Lagos residence of billionaire businessman and winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, late Basorun M.K.O Abiola, carting away cash and valuables.
Daughter of the late Concord Publisher-turned-politician, Tundun Abiola, confirmed the scary incident in a press statement, thanking God that no one was killed or hurt during the the attack.
Spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Bala Elkanah, also confirmed the development, disclosing that some suspects were already in the net even as investigation into the matter got underway. .
“We have suspects in custody. We have commenced investigation,” he said.
The robbers were said to have broken into the house located on Moshood Abiola Crescent, off Toyin Street, Ikeja, after scaling the fence.
The suspects were said to have allegedly carted away valuables including hard currencies.
Abiola won the 1993 presidential election which was annulled by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.
President Buhari approved the renaming of Abuja National Stadium to MKO Abiola Stadium in honour of the late businessman.
In 2018, the president also declared June 12 as Democracy Day and officially recognised Abiola as the true winner of the vote adjudged to be the fairest and freest in Nigeria’s electoral history.
Buhari also gave Abiola the highest national honour in the land, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, GCFR.
Below is the full text of Tundun Abiola’s release:
September 2, 2020:
PRESS STATEMENT
GUN-WIELDING HOODLUMS INVADE MKO ABIOLA’S IKEJA RESIDENCE
In the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 2nd September, armed men invaded and ransacked the residence of Chief MKO Abiola in Ikeja, Lagos.
The hoodlums subjected the family to extreme emotional torture and harassment and stole cash and other valuable items belonging to the family.
The police have since been informed. The crime is being investigated.
We are consoled by the fact that no life was lost in this unfortunate and frightening incident.
We give glory to Almighty Allah and we thank friends and family members across the world who have called and sent messages of support and solidarity.
Signed,
Tundun Abiola
For the family
