By Danlami Nmodu
A member of former Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki’s family has reacted to the reasons adduced by the DSS for the raids on the Abuja residence of ex National Security Adviser ,NSA ,Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) as well as the Sokoto residence of the deposed Sultan.
The family member who spoke with Newsdiaryonline under the condition of anonymity said “I will call Sambo and tell him not to go to court.Leave them with God.”
He said the reasons adduced for the raids simply reinforced their suspicion that it was all down to vendetta over a 30 -year event over the putsch that sacked General Muhammadu Buhari in 1984.“It is pathetic that this could still happen.God is more powerful than everyone.”
The family member questioned some of the reasons given by the DSS.He asked that as a former NSA who fought terrorists seriously, are they saying he doesn’t need rifles for personal protection ? He said “this man as NSA dealt the biggest blow to the terrorist than all the NSAs so far you remember? Are you saying he doesn’t need rifles?”
He adduced similar counter argument for the bullet proof cars seized from the former NSA’s house in Abuja.He wondered why anyone should blame the former NSA for having bullet proof cars. “I know of private citizens who don’t hold positions in government who have not less than 5 bullet-proof cars.So what are they talking about?”.
Speaking to Newsdiaryonline on the $40,000 found and seized in Sambo’s house, the family member wondered why this will be an issue. “You know this man is not from a poor family.Even before he became NSA, he could afford this amount of money,” said.
“This thing is just about the 30 year old vendetta as we have been saying.It is very patherhic”, he insisted .
Then he repeated his resolve to urge Sambo not to go to court: “Iam gong to call Sambo and tell him not to go to court.We will leave everything to God”.
DSS in its statement said “based on credible intelligence linking the immediate past NSA, Mohammed Sambo DASUKI (Col Rtd) with alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian State, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) conducted a search on the properties belonging to the former NSA, Mohammed Sambo DASUKI (Col Rtd). The properties are on Nos. 13, John Khadya Street, Nos. 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja, and Nos. 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
“The search operations was planned to be simultaneously conducted, but DASUKI, refused the operatives entry into his main residence located at No. 13 John Khadya Street, Asokoro, despite being presented with a genuine and duly signed search warrant. Consequently, what was to last not more than two (2) hours, lasted more than ten (10) hours, up till the early hours of 17th July, 2015. Indeed if not for the sense of maturity and professionalism of the officers and men assigned this task and the very good understanding and timely intervention of the new Chief of Army Staff, Tsukur Y. BURATAI (Maj Gen), there would have been a clash between the Army operatives guarding the house and Service operatives, as SAMBO directed the soldiers on duty not to allow any movement into his house, despite the subsisting court order. SAMBO thereafter raised a false alarm to the military authorities to come to his aid as he failed to correctly tell the military that his property was about to be legitimately searched.
“Gentlemen, please recall that SAMBO retired from the Army as a Colonel, and therefore not entitled to have military guards, if not for the fact he was NSA. Even as NSA, such guards should have been withdrawn after his removal as NSA since he would not have been entitled.
“The search was thoroughly conducted, and several items recovered, among which were some incriminating items. These include seven (7) high caliber rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears.
“The team also recovered twelve (12) new vehicles, out of which five (5) were bullet proofs. These vehicles which are all exotic vehicles were retrieved from SAMBO’s residence having failed to produce evidence of ownership. For instance, what could he be doing with five (5) bullet proof cars as a retired NSA?. These cars which from all available evidence were purchased with tax payers money, were being kept for possible sinister enterprise.
“The Service would want to state categorically that this search operation is not a witch hunt.
