The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ignored the call by the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari.
Aisha stated that her security aides remained in detention despite her plea for their release – and they were not replaced.
According to report, she added: “You don’t play with the protection of the First Family.”
Aisha Buhari made the demand for the release of her aides in Police custody following the trouble that ensued between her and Private Secretary to the President, Yusuf Sabiu, aka Tunde, who is also a nephew to the President.
The trouble started on Thursday night when the First Lady’s Aide-de-camp, Usman Shugaba, attempted to force Sabiu into self -isolation over COVID-19 fears.
However, Sabiu, who had reportedly return from Lagos that night, insisted that he will not leave his residence at the precincts of the Presidential Villa despite the intervention of Aisha Buhari and her children.
It was later reported that the incident led to shooting in the presidential villa and Sabiu, the powerful aide, secured the arrest of Aisha Buhari’s aides who attacked him.
However, a family member on Sunday said as of 4 pm on Saturday, the aides were still in police custody.
He said, ‘’Tunde met the NNPC GMD, Maikanti Baru, who recently died of COVID-19. He also visited several other places. Instead of going on self-isolation, he decided to return to the Villa and he is one of the few aides that has direct access to the President.
“The President is almost 80 and he is very vulnerable given his medical history. We advised Tunde not to see the President but he refused and forced his way into the Villa. He was able to get the First Lady’s aides arrested because of the influence he wields.
“We have a rule in the Villa that those who have direct access to the President should reduce their engagement with people. Even the new Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, has been adhering to the rule but Tunde seems to be a law unto himself.”
When asked whether the First Lady’s aides had been released, the President’s relative said, “As I speak to you, they have remained in custody, exposing them to possible infection of COVID-19.”
Meanwhile, it was learned that a battle line has been drawn as the President’s wife and children declared war on Sabiu, who some claimed was beginning to wield as much influence as the President’s late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.
Sabiu, who was nicknamed ‘Tunde’ after Buhari’s late ally, Gen. Tunde Idiagbon, is the son of Mamman Daura’s sister.
Aisha had, on Friday, called on the IG to immediately release her aides.
She said: “Finally, I call on the IGP to release my assigned Staff who are still in the custody of the police in order to avoid putting their lives in danger or exposure to COVID-19 while in their custody.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has broken silence on the case involving the First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, and some presidential aides, urging Nigerians to allow the law to take its course.
The President stated this in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, on Sunday.
Hajia Buhari had raised concerns over the arrest of her security aides by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, over a development in the Presidential Villa on Friday.
Some of the security operatives were accused of firing shots in the confrontation involving the First Lady and some presidential aides.
Speaking on the development on Sunday, Shehu said in a statement: “The Presidency wishes to acknowledge concerns expressed by several members of the public regarding the recent incident among the occupants of the State House which escalation led to the arrest of some staff by the police.
“This is to assure all and everyone that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, is not, and was not at anytime in any form of danger arising, either from deadly infections or the reported incident by security personnel which is currently under investigation.
“This particular incident happened outside the main residence of the President.
“Armed guards and other security personnel assigned to the State House receive the necessary training of especially weapons handling and where they come short, their relevant agencies have their rules and regulations to immediately address them.
“Having authorized the proper investigation to be carried out into this unfortunate incident by the Police, the President has acted in compliance with the rule of law.
“That a minor occurrence is being used by some critics to justify attacks on the government and the person of President Muhammadu Buhari beggars belief.
“In this particular instance, the President says the law should be allowed to take its course.”
