LG Boss, Others Paraded Over Attempted Murder of Senator Dino Melaye

The Nigeria Police Force yesterday paraded the Chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Taofiq Isah and five others over an assassination attempt on Senator Dino Melaye.

The police spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, while parading the suspects at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, said weapons and an ambulance used as operation vehicle were recovered from the suspects.

He said following the attack by unknown gunmen on Senator Dino Melaye at his residence at Iyala, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State on 15th April, 2017 at about 12:30 am, the IGP ordered the police Special Tactical Squad (STS) to investigate the matter.

He said after 10 days of investigation, the police arrested six members of the assassination gang responsible for the attack.

He said the principal suspect is Taofiq Isah, who allegedly masterminded the execution attempt. Isah was alleged to have directed one Abdulmumini a.k.a Iron, now at large, said to be his personal assistant, to recruit other members of the assassination gang.

The other five arrested suspects include; Ade Obage, Abdullahi a.k.a Eko, Ahmed Ajayi, Michael Bamidele and ex-police Sgt Ede James.

Moshood added that Abdullahi a.k.a Iron, was instructed to recruit the arrested suspects with four others; Osama, Lukman, China and Adamu Aloha all at large to assassinate Melaye.

Fielding questions from journalists in Ijumu, the chairman, Taofiq Isah, had earlier denied the allegation, saying it was a step up and a charade.

He admitted political disagreement with Melaye, but said he was not connected to the assassination attempt on Dino Melaye.

The police said exhibits recovered from the suspects include; one Ambulance Hyundai Bus, five AK 47 rifles, one Berreta pistol, two locally made single barrel shot guns, 25 expended shells of 7.62 mm ammunition and 12 expended shells gauge cartridge.

Moshood said the firearms have been sent for ballistic expert examination, test and analysis at the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Lagos.