Why we raided Dino Melaye’s Abuja residence – Police

Dino Melaye

The Nigerian Police have said that the senator representing Kogi West at the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, was needed to answer to a case of attempted homicide.

The force alleged that Mr Melaye and his armed thugs shot and injured one Sergeant Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force who was on duty at a stop and search point along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State on July 19, 2018.

Force spokesperson Moshood Jimoh said this in a statement following the police siege to Melaye’s Abuja residence on Friday.

Mr Jimoh said police investigators had written to the Clerk of the National Assembly asking Melaye to report at the Kogi State Police Command,  Lokoja, to answer to the offences against him “but he has bluntly refused to report himself to the Police.”

“The offence was committed by Melaye and his armed thugs in Kogi State on the 19th July 2018 when they shot and wounded Saliu. The Police Officer is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care,” said Jimoh.

The force said that its operatives will continue to wait at the lawmaker’s residence until the senator surrendered.

“The Police operatives will continue to be in wait at the residence of Senator Melaye until he surrenders for arrest.

“The offence for which  Melaye is being investigated is capital in nature and not compoundable.

“The Force will not tolerate an attack on his personnel by any individual no matter how highly placed. The law must take its course,” the force said.