BY DAMOLA EMMANUEL
The Nigeria Police Force, on Saturday, continued the siege it laid to the Abuja residence of Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District.
Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, an Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, said his organisation will not back off the residence until the outspoken senator is arrested and tells the court all he knows about a pending attempted culpable homicide case.
Maintaining that the action was in sync with the Police Act, Moshood said it was done to smoke out Melaye and make him answer to the case of attempted culpable homicide in the shooting of one Sergeant 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.
To underscore its determination to smoke out the senator, the police has allegedly cut power supply to the residence, according to an online news portal, Sahara Reporters.
The Crest was unable to verify the claim as at reporting time.
However, in a telephone interview with Channels Television, Saturday night, the embattled lawmaker said he was out of Abuja and would submit himself to the police once he returns.
“I was informed that my house has been invaded,” he told the TV station. “Over 40 policemen inside the compound and over 50 outside the gate. My staff were molested, beaten and handcuffed and taken away.
“Presently I’m outside Abuja. I’m a Senator of the Federal Republic of Abuja, I cannot run away. I will make myself available as soon as I’m back to town next week. I am not a criminal, I have not done anything wrong.”