Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, said, yesterday, that his house in Gwarimpa, Abuja, was stripped bare by thieves who carted away all movable items in the house.
Jonathan, who spoke through a statement issued by his spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, last night, said the theft was discovered last month, after which it was reported to relevant police authorities.
He said six of those arrested by the police were actually policemen guarding the house, contrary to confirmation by FCT Police Command on Monday that only four policemen were arrested in respect of the burglary.
The statement read: “Following series of enquiries from journalists and other concerned Nigerians on the extent of the reported vandalisation and theft in the house of former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan located in Gwarimpa, Abuja, we, therefore, would like to make the following clarifications: The theft was discovered last month upon which a report was duly lodged with the relevant police authorities.
“The police immediately commenced investigations which led to the arrest and detention of some suspects, six of whom were policemen, even as investigations continue.
“The house, which the former President bought from CITEC estate developers in 2004, was totally stripped bare by the thieves who stole every movable item in the house, including furniture sets, beds, electronics, toilet and electrical fittings, as well as all internal doors and frames.
“However, contrary to exaggerated reports in some media, only six television sets, three refrigerators and one gas cooker were stolen. Being that the house is a modest, a 4-bedroom duplex, it couldn’t have been fitted with “36 Plasma television sets and about 25 refrigerators” as falsely reported by some media outfits.
“We thank all Nigerians for their show of concern and wish to convey the former President’s goodwill to all Nigerians.” A security source involved in the investigation had said by the time family members of the former President were alerted to the looting early this month, the house had been stripped bare.
The source also said two dealers who had been main recipients of the stolen items were said to have closed down their shops at Panteka market and have since remained at large. The source also revealed that the looting was discovered when a neighbour noticed “severe damage in the house” and called a member of President Jonathan’s family to ask whether the house was undergoing renovation.
The former President was said to have personally gone to inspect the property after which he reported the vandalism to the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
