The Delta State Government has tightened security at the Commissioners’ Quarters near the Government House, Asaba, where current serving members of the State Executive Council reside, following an alleged robbery incident at the apartments of two serving commissioners.
The incident, which had been kept secret from members of the public, especially newsmen, was said to have occurred on Saturday night in the two apartments occupied by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Omatshola Williams; and her Science and Technology counterpart, Joyce Overah.
A top government official who disclosed the incident on Tuesday said the hoodlums stole valuable things, including unspecified amount of money and jewelry, while they also destroyed official vehicles belonging to the commissioners.
The source said the affected commissioners were away on official duties outside the state capital when the gunmen struck.
It was learnt that the reason why the bandits decided to destroy the vehicles was due to the fact that they did not meet their targets.
They reportedly broke into the apartments one after the other, despite the heavy security mounted at the quarters.
The PUNCH gathered that the incident was generating palpable tension among commissioners who reside in the quarters, as security at the quarters and around the Government House has been strengthened with the deployment of more security personnel.
A commissioner who was contacted on the development confirmed the incident under the strict condition of anonymity, adding that it was a quiet operation in the over two hours it lasted.
According to the commissioner, “Yes, there was robbery attack on the quarter; but only two apartments occupied by the commissioners for Women Affairs and Science and Technology were broken into.
“It’s a surprise incident. We are still in shock, although security within the quarter had been beefed up.”
Two aides to Governror Ifeanyi Okowa, who were contacted on Tuesday evening, also confirmed the development, stressing that the state government was already investigating the incident.
One of our sources said, “The matter is already being investigated by the government and security agencies in the state.
“The security team has also changed tactics of checking visitors coming to the quarters.
“Some of the old security personnel posted there at the time of the incident have been withdrawn, while new ones have been drafted in on Monday.
“Before anyone can go in, thorough checks must be carried out, although we are not sure of how the hoodlums found their way in. It’s a very embarrassing situation.”
Efforts to speak with the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Williams, whose apartment the gunmen broke into, proved abortive, as her telephone lines were not connecting.
Calls and text message to the state Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, were not picked; while a text message sent to his line at about 5pm has also not been responded to.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Aniamaka, when contacted, claimed he has not been briefed on the incident.
He, however, asked for 10 minutes to do his findings after which he promised to get back to our correspondent; but he had not get back at the time of filing this report three hours later.
*The Punch
