Police Deny Attack On Melaye, Invite Him For Questioning
By [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hq1XTRdIh4]
The Kogi State Police Command has denied the allegations that its personnel attacked the convoy of the lawmaker representing Kogi West, Senator Dino Melaye.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ali Janga, faulted the claims while addressing reporters on Friday at his office in Lokoja, the state capital.
Alleged Illegal Arms Possession: Melaye, Others Plead ‘Not Guilty’
Senator Melaye had accused the police of shooting at his convoy on his way to inaugurate a project in his constituency on Thursday in Kogi.
But the Police Commissioner noted that while the allegations were untrue, the police opened fire in defence of a purported shooting by some individuals in the lawmaker’s convoy.
“Unidentified civilians inside (a vehicle in the convoy) decided to open fire on my policemen. You don’t expect the police to fold their arms; eventually they replied and opened fire too,” he said.
“Dino has been going round telling people that he was attacked by unidentified people armed men; no, they were real police officers.
“They were there on assignment. Nobody attacked Dino but rather, his convoy attacked my policemen and they repelled,” Janga insisted.
However, Senator Melaye has yet to react to the police account.
Mr Janga also faulted the reports that two police personnel died in the process, saying only one officer sustained a fatal injury and is being treated at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.
He said the Command was fully aware that the lawmaker was visiting the state, explaining that the police deployed personnel in strategic points to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The commissioner condemned the alleged assault on the police officers at the scene of the incident, stressing that they have invited Melaye for questioning.
He added that the police would be forced to declare the embattled lawmaker wanted, should he refuse to ignore their invitation.
“We are going after him (Melaye) and if we cannot see him, we will declare him wanted and we will send his name for watchlisting,” said Janga.
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