Police authorities have launched an investigation after unknown burglars broke into the official residence of the Ghanaian Ambassador to Nigeria in the early hours of Thursday, July 11, stealing several valuables.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. in the upscale Maitama district of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Items reportedly stolen include two plasma television sets, gas cylinders, and bags of rice.
Sources at the residence told reporters that the intruders gained entry by cutting through protective wire on the perimeter fence at the back of the compound.
They also damaged the rear door to access the building.
During a visit to the residence on Saturday, crime scene tape was seen cordoning off the area where the fence had been breached.
A domestic staff member recounted the events, stating that a power outage may have provided cover for the criminals.
“Around 2 a.m., the power went out, so I went to switch on the generator.
About 10 minutes later, electricity was restored, and I turned it off again,” the staff member said.
“By 5 a.m., I went around to check and noticed a window was open and one of the burglary proof bars had been removed.
The back door was also open, and the wires on the fence had been cut. That’s when I alerted the police officer on duty.”
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the incident and said it was being treated as a burglary.
“It was a burglary that happened last week. The police have started their investigation,” Ebienfa said.
Also confirming the development, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, stated that the Commissioner of Police had visited the scene. “The Commissioner of Police was there, and we are investigating,” she said.