Date: 2018-04-18

A legal luminary, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has described the robbery attack in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State as a national disaster.

The robbery visited on five commercial banks in the ancient town, resulted in the death of about 30 persons including nine policemen, which the police authorities put at 17 while several others sustained injuries.

To this end, Fagbemi has donated a sum of N500,000 to Offa community for the treatment of people who sustained injuries during the attack.

In a condolence letter written to the Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Oloyede Esuwoye II, a copy of which was obtained by Journalists in Ilorin at the weekend, he noted that the motive of the hoodlums was to dampen the widely acclaimed resilience of Offa, saying that it would rather strengthen the ancient town's resolve to be more united, focused and to rise above any adversity.

Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), regretted that the attack came at a time the community had enjoyed relative peace and accelerated development on account of purposeful leadership of Oba Esuwoye.

The renowned lawyer expressed his readiness to assist in any measures designed to provide adequate security to Offa town and its environs.

Fagbemi said, "It is with a heavy and grieving heart that I write you this letter to commiserate with your Royal Majesty, the Olofa-in-Council, the families of the victims and the entire people of Offa over the unfortunate robbery incident of April 5, 2018.

"The robbery attack coming at a time when Offa had enjoyed relative peace and accelerated development due to your purposeful leadership of the ancient town not only cast a dark cloud on Offa town but the entire nation. Offa is not just a cosmopolitan town; it is home to many people of diverse origin and culture.

"Personally, my history will not be complete without Offa, which provides me with the foundation of a glorious career. As a prince of Ijagbo and an alumnus of Offa Grammar School, my commitment to the development of Offa and its environs cannot be over-emphasised.

"While the perpetrators of the dastardly act may think that the incident will dampen the well known resilience of Offa people, I make bold to say that the incident will rather strengthen our resolve to be more united, focused and to rise above any adversity, including the present one. In the spirit of the ancient tradition of Offa, we as a people shall 'wrestle' all that seeks to divide us or assail our proud heritage as a peaceful and accommodating town.

"In view of the above, I shall make available my widow's mite as a token of love for the treatment of those who sustained various injuries during the attack, while I also promise to make myself available to assist in any measures designed to provide adequate security to the town and its environs.

"Kabiyesi, the incident no doubt is most regrettable; I do not want your Majesty to see it as a loss only to Offa town, but as a national disaster and a dent on our collective humanity".