Police Yesterday Attempted A Fresh Arrest On Melaye

The Kogi State Police Command yesterday confirmed that it sent a detachment of officers to the residence of Senator Dino Melaye at Aiyetoro-Gbede in Kogi State on October 11 to effect his arrest.

In a statement in Lokoja, the command said it took the action in connection with the July 19 shooting of one of its operatives, Sgt. Danjuma Salihu by thugs suspected to be loyal to the Senator. Police Deputy Superintendent William Aya who signed the statement said that the clarification followed an allegation by Melaye on his Twitter page of Oct. 12 that the ADC to Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State led some officers to his house to assassinate him.

“The ADC has nothing to do with this case,” Aya said.

He added: “The Command wishes to state unequivocally that the statement is not only a figment of the imagination of Sen. Melaye who has mastered the art of political gimmickry, but totally false, malicious and highly mischievous.

“The Commissioner of Police sent Police Officers to his country home for arrest, unfortunately we did not get him at home.”

The police accused Melaye, who is representing Kogi West senatorial district of mobilising thugs to attack their personnel on routine duty on Mopa-Aiyetoro-Gbede on July 19 without any provocation.

“The thugs shot and injured Force No. 432913 Sgt. Danjuma Saliu who is currently receiving treatment at Veda Crest Hospital, Abuja,” the statement said.
Aya said Melaye was invited officially through letter No AR:3000/KGS/X/VOL.43/670 dated 23/7/2018 to come and answer the charges against him but refused to show up or give reason for not honouring the invitation.

“The Senator is wanted by the Kogi State Police Command for criminal conspiracy, attempted culpable homicide and unlawful possession of firearms,” the statement explained.