Melaye: Police Parade Kogi LG Boss, Ex Sergent 4 Others

The police, on Saturday, in Abuja paraded suspects in connection with the failed assassination attempt on the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Meleya.

It will be recalled that on April 15  this year, Melaye escaped an attempt on his life by some suspected assassins, at his residence in Iyala in Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State.

It was at this backdrop that the Inspector General of the Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, ordered a full investigation into the attack.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood told newsmen in Abuja that the police had arrested six suspects in connection with the assassination attempt and recovered many exhibits.

Those arrested included Taofiq Idaho, 54 years, principal suspect (Honourable chairman Ijumu LGA Kogi State), Ade Obage, 29 years, Abdullahi Isah (a.k.a) Eko,  32 years; Ahmed Ajayi, 45 years, Michael Bamidele,  26 years and Ex- Sergent Ede James ‘M’ 35 years, (orderly to Chairman of ijumu LGA Kogi State at the time of the attack).

Exhibits recovered from the suspects included one ambulance Hyundai bus; five (5) AK 47 rifles, one Berreta pistol; two locally-made single barrel shot gun; 25 expended shells of 7.62 mm ammunition; 13 expended shells of 9mm ammunition, and 12 expended shells gauge cartridge.

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

Speaking further, the Force PRO alleged: “Taofiq Isah (chairman, Ijumu LGA Kogi State), according to the investigation so far, he is the mastermind of the executed attempted assassination/murder of Senator Dino Melaye. He was alleged to have directed one Abdulmumini a.k.a Iron, now at large (who was said to be his Personal Assistance) and who in turn recruited other members of the vicious and notorious hired assassins gang mentioned above.

“Ade Obage ‘M’ 29 years: He voluntarily informed the Police that he has the knowledge and information about the attempted assassination/murder attack of Senator Dino Melaye after the attack was carried out. He further informed the investigators that he was contacted to join the gang by Abdullahi Eko a principal suspect now in Police custody.

“Abdullahi a.k.a Eko ‘M’ a native of Adavi town in Adavi LGA of Kogi State was arrested and he confessed to the crime and admitted to the criminal roles he played along with the other suspects in carrying out the attempted assassination/murder of Senator Dino Melaye. He also mentioned other members of the gang who are still at large and that they used the Ambulance Hyundai bus and Five (5) AK 47 rifles for the operation. The Ambulance was recovered behind the Ijumu LGA Secretariat in Kogi State.

“Ahmed Ajayi  ‘M’ 45 years (local security man at the residence of Taofiq Isah a principal suspect) a prohibited locally made single barrel shot gun was recovered from his possession.

“Michael Bamidele  ‘M’ 26 years (local security man at the residence of Taofiq Isah a principal suspect) a prohibited locally made single barrel shot gun was recovered from his possession.

“Ex- Sgt Ede James ‘M’ (Orderly to Chairman of Ijumu LGA Kogi State). He is the Police orderly to the principal suspect Taofiq Isah, the Chairman of Ijumu LGA in Kogi State whose phone was used for communication for the planning of the failed assassination/murder of Senator Dino Melaye. He was arrested with a serious criminal link to another principal suspect Abdullahi a.k.a Eko who is an active member of the gang.

“Abdulmumini a.k.a Iron (at large) He is the personal Assistant (PA) to Chairman Ijumu LGA. Investigation so far revealed that he recruited members of the gang for the attack namely: Abdullahi a.k.a Eko arrested, Osama (SNU) at large, Lukman a.k.a General/Commander at large and China a.k.a Lie down flat at large and Adamu Aloha also at large. The suspects jointly entered the ambulance and left to Senator Dino Melaye residence at Ijumu LGA Kogi State.

“Abdullahi Isah a.k.a Eko the third suspect further confessed to the crime and admitted to have been sent by the Chairman of Ijumu LGA in Kogi State Hon. Taofiq Isah to go and assassinate Senator Dino melaye. Investigation is being intensified to arrest other suspects at large. All suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation