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Police point fingers over escape of suspects in Melaye’s alleged gun-running case

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Sen Dino Melaye kidnapped

The drama surrounding the travails of Senator Dino Melaye, the main opposition voice to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, took a turn for the blizzare on Wednesday, as suspects in his alleged gun running case reportedly escaped from detention.

Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Ali Janga, has said that it was clear that there was conspiracy leading to the escape of the two suspects, who recently alleged that Senator Dino Melaye supplies them with arms as well as finance, from the custody of the police in Kogi State.

The suspects Kabiru Saidu a.k.a. Osama and Nuhu Salisu, known as Small, reportedly escaped along with four other suspects, Aliyu Isa, Adams Suleiman; Emmanuel Audu, and Musa Mohammed.

Janga, who confirmed the incident to newsmen on Wednesday in Lokoja, the state capital, added that five Special Anti Robbery Squad officers (SARS) and seven conventional police officers on duty have been detained by the command for interrogation.

Insisting that it was obvious that there was conspiracy between some police officers and the runaway suspects, Janga said, “When I got to the scene of the incident; what I observed was a constructive escape. Because, the padlock to one of the exhibit rooms through which the suspects escaped was opened. And they used hammers, nail cutter, and shovel to hit the iron bar of the window, bend it and removed one block.

“Three of our SARS operatives were even behind the cell, and two in front, including some conventional police officers and two station guard. Definitely, I believe there is a serious connivance that led to the escape of the six suspects.”

The state police have already declared all the six suspects wanted including Senator Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu who according to Janga failed to honour police invitation.

He further vowed that anyone behind the incident would be brought to book irrespective of the rank in the police force.

READ ALSO: KOGI: DSS nabs suspected major financier of kidnap gang

He added, “The command hereby appeals to the members of the public to assist the police with useful information on the whereabouts of the suspects by reporting to the nearest police station.”

Osama and Small had a week ago accused Melaye, who represents Kogi West in the Senate, of arms sponsorship.

The State police had since summoned the senator who had refused to honour the invitation alleging that he will be risking his life by submitting himself to the state police, which he accused of working in collaboration with Governor Yahaya Bello to allegedly destroy him.

He has since left the shores of Nigeria.

 

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