Police storm, remain in Melaye’s Abuja residence

The regular drama between the Nigeria Police and Kogi Central Senator, Dino Melaye, was re-ignited Friday as the men in blue paid an unannounced visit to the Senator’s Maitama home in Abuja to effect his arrest.
There were speculations that Melaye was around when tens of policemen arrived, but is ensconced in a secret chamber within the premises, but in an interview with a television channel, he gave an impression that he was out of Abuja and would report to the Police as soon as he returned.
There were also reports of man-handling and arrest of one of the Senator’s aides.
For a year now, the boisterous lawmaker, known for drama and music using the social media, has been having a running battle with the law enforcement agency.
In a statement by a police spokesman, Acting Deputy Commissioner Jimoh Moshood, the Force disclosed that Melaye is being sought for an attack on a police sergeant.
His statement reads: “The Police operatives currently in the residence of Senator Dino Melaye are to effect his arrest to answer to the case of attempted culpable homicide on the shooting of a Police Officer, Sgt Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) while on duty at a stop and search point along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.
“The above offence was committed by Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs in Kogi State on the 19th July, 2018 when they shot and wounded a police officer, Sgt Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) while on duty at a stop and search point along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State. The Police Officer is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care.
“The Police investigators have written the Clerk of the National Assembly for Senator Dino Melaye to report at Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja for him to answer to these offences against him under investigation in Kogi State Police Command but he has bluntly refused to report himself to the Police.
“The Police operatives will continue to be in wait at the residence of Senator Dino Melaye until he surrenders himself for arrest. The offence for which Senator Dino Melaye is being investigated is capital in nature and not compoundable.
“The Force will not tolerate attack on its personnel by any individual no matter how highly placed. The law must take its course.
“Members of the public will be kept informed on further development in the investigation of the matter.”
Friday’s invasion of Melaye’s residence came as a surprise, because when he raised an alarm of plans to arrest and poison him three days ago, the Police flatly denied it.