Abdullahi Isah, one of the six suspects arrested in connection with the failed assassination attempt on Dino Melaye, has confessed that his gang was hired to kill the senator who presents Kogi West at the Nigerian Senate.
A statement issued by Jimoh Moshood, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Isah confessed that Taofiq Isah, chairman of Ijumu LGA, who is also in police custody, had contacted him and four others to execute the task.
The attack on Melaye’s country home at Ayetoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, happened on April 15.
Moshood said four other members of the gang were currently at large
“Consequent on the attack by unknown gunmen on Dino Melaye, Ibrahim Idris, the inspector general of police (IGP) swiftly deployed police special tactical squad (STS) team to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Moshood said in the statement, which was emailed to The Trent on Saturday, April 29, 2017.
“Investigation so far revealed that Abdulmumini (a.k.a Iron) the personal assistant to Isah, recruited members of the gang for the attack namely: Abdullahi (a.k.a. Eko), Osama (SNU), Lukman (a.k.a General/Commander), China (a.k.a Lie down flat) and Adamu Aloha.”
Moshood listed other suspects arrested in connection with the murder attempt to include Ade Obage, 29; Abdullahi Isah, 32; Ahmed Ajayi, 45; Michael Bamidele, 26 and Ede James, 35.
According to the statement, the exhibits recovered include one ambulance Hyundai bus, five AK 47 rifles, one berreta pistol, two locally made single barrel shot gun.
Others are twenty expended shells of 7.62 mm ammunition, thirteen expended shells of 9mm ammunition and twelve expended shells gauge cartridge.
“Investigation is being intensified to arrest other suspects at large and all suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation,” he said.
When the incident happened, Senator Melay said the shooting lasted for almost one hour, adding that apart from the building riddled with bullets, two of his vehicles were damaged.
The senator said he suspected Mr Taufiq Isa, the Administrator of Ijumu Local Government to be behind the attack.
According to him, the attack was politically motivated, because of his criticism of the Kogi State government.
“I got a rousing welcome from Kabba to my home town on Friday and I know it angered the power that be in the state which mobilised for this assassination attempt on my life,” Melaye said.
“At about midnight, we started hearing gunshots. They fired more than 200 rounds of bullets into the house. This attempt to kill me will not stop me from speaking the truth.
“If I speak the truth, I will die. If I lie, I will die. I’ve decided to speak the truth and die. I’m not afraid of death. I only respect men, I don’t fear them.”
“I am championing an administrative cause. I will continue to speak and be the voice to the voiceless. I’m not deterred; I remain resolute to make Kogi better. Nothing will stop me from coming home.”
