The escape of six suspected criminals linked to Dino Melaye, a Senator representing Kogi West was allegedly planned and coordinated with the aid of some Nigeria Police officers at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Lokoja, police sources told Saharareporters.
The six suspects; Kabiru Seidu a.k.a Osama, Nuhu Salisu a.k.a Small, Aliyu Isa, Adams Suleiman, Emmanuel Audu and Musa Mohammed escaped from ‘A’ Division of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) detention in Lokoja, Kogi State’s Capital, where they were being held pending their court appearance with Mr. Melaye who was also been declared wanted by the police.
Kabiru and Salisu had earlier confessed to working for Melaye.
The Police said the two suspects linked to the Senator were arrested on January 19 at Ogojueje in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, after a shootout.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said; “According to the gang leader, Osama, he had been working as a political thug for Alhaji Mohammed Audu.
“He said Alhaji Mohammed Audu invited him to Abuja and introduced him to Senator Dino Melaye and they met on Airport road, Abuja inside Senator Melaye’s car in the month of December 2017."
“The suspect further confessed that Sen. Dino Melaye told him that they should start working for him as his political thugs and they should recruit and train other thugs to work for him in preparation for the 2019 general elections to enable him ( Sen. Dino Melaye ) challenge his political opponents and disorganize Kogi State.”
The Senator also allegedly gave them guns and money to recruit more thugs against 2019 elections.
SaharaReporters reported the rearrest of five of the escapees on Friday, leaving out the leader of the gang, Osama, who is yet to be recaptured.[story_link align="left"]58821[/story_link]
However, Police sources have told Saharareporters that the suspects were able to escape with the help of police officers who assisted them to smuggle in mobile phones used to plan and reach their allies who arranged their subsequent escape from police custody.
One of the sources told Saharareporters that the rearrested escapees were captured through a food vendor linked to the police station, she reportedly concealed mobile phone devices inside "fufu" and passed them through police guards manning the cells of the high profile criminals.
Our sources also revealed to us that Osama might likely be swooped in today as policemen on trial would make a strike tonight.
Following the escape, Melaye gave the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, a 48-hour ultimatum to recapture the suspects or risk facing court action, however, Mr. Melaye has remained eerily quiet since the jail-breaking criminals were re-arrested by the police.
Mr. Melaye was recently arraigned before an Abuja court on a two-count charge for giving false information to the police with the intent to mislead over declarations he made that some persons linked to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello planned to assassinate him last year. The Independent National Electoral Commission is also embarking on a recall of the Senator from the Nigerian Senate.
Mr. Melaye is not new to involvement in assassinations and violence, in 2008, a United States report linked Mr. Melaye to the death of One Mr. Victor Obafaiye who was a principal witness in a petition of election malpractice filed against the Senator.
Our sources also revealed to us that Osama might likely be swooped in today as policemen on trial would make a strike tonight.