Police charge Dino Melaye for alleged gun running

From Ahmad Ibrahim Lokoja

The Kogi State Police Command has dragged the member representing the western axis at the Senate, Senator
Dino Melaye before a Federal High Court, Lokoja, slamming him with charges of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.
The Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, ACP Jimoh Moshood disclosed this at a news conference, while parading two notorious and vicious leaders of political thugs, Kabiru Saidu also known as Osama and Nuhu Salisu equally known as Small, in Lokoja yesterday.
He disclosed that the two suspects were apprehended by the police at Agojueju in Dekina local government area of the state, after engaging the men of the command and team of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad on gun duel for several hours.
According to the police spokesman, the suspects upon investigation confessed that they have caused mayhem, disruption of peace, destruction of lives and property as well as belonging to dreaded and vicious kidnap gang terrorizing the state.
He further revealed that the gang leader, Kabiru Saidu alleged that Senator Melaye handed over a bag to him containing one AK 47 rifle, two Pump Action rifles and the sum of N430, 000, to start training others preparatory to the 2019 polls.
Consequent upon the indictment and criminal confession against lawmaker by Kabiru Saidu, according to Mr. Moshood, the police wrote a letter to the senate president informing and requesting him to release Senator Melaye to report at the office of the commissioner, Kogi State command, to answer the allegation leveled against him.
He stressed that following the deliberate refusal by the lawmaker to honour police invitation, a case of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms have been filed at the Federal High Court, Lokoja, on the 16th of this month.
The police spokesman therefore assured that the renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to sustain the tempo of the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country, and guarantee protection of lives and property remains unequivocal and unwavering.
In his reaction, Senator Melaye described what is playing out in the state as a frame up and attempt by the state government to discredit him.
He said the development was an attempt to shut him up, insisting that he has never seen or met the suspects in his entire life.