TRAGEDY was averted on Friday night as gunmen suspected to be armed robbers attacked the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Salmot Badru, at her residence in Obasanjo Hiltop, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
According to an eyewitness, the seven men, who arrived in a Toyota Hilux bus, reportedly besieged the house at 10.00pm and operated for almost 25 minutes.
The Guardian learnt that Badru had just returned from a trip to the Federal Capital, Abuja, few hours before the attack.
It was reported that the heavily armed men raided the house and took all the workers in it hostage while the operation lasted.
According to a source, the robbers became furious over their inability to gain access to Badru's apartment having locked herself in.
The attack was reportedly foiled by the prompt intervention of policemen from Zone 2 of the Ogun State Command, when they stormed the scene and put the men to flight.
After the incident, one of the maids was seen bleeding profusely and was said to have been taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said the timely intervention of the police saved the day.
According to him, 'the timely tip-off received from the ex-deputy governor's neighbour gave the police ample opportunity to chase the robbers, who wanted to use Badru's maid to gain entrance.
He said: "If we had not arrived at the place on time, the robbers would have attacked the woman and carted away valuables. That is why we encourage people to be their brothers' keepers.
"Nothing was taken away, and nothing was done to the woman. We raised four patrol police team, immediately we were alerted," he said.
The Guardian