The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris, has ordered the immediate removal of the Kogi state commissioner of Police, Ali Janga, over the escape of six suspects including two principal suspects (KABIRU SEIDU A.K.A OSAMA, NUHU SALISU A.K.A SMALL) who indicted Senator Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu in a case of conspiracy and unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm.
In a statement made available to newsmen, the police boss also ordered the immediate transfer of commander FSARS in the state, the Divisional Police Officer ‘A’ Division, Lokoja and other police officers implicated in the escape for negligence, dereliction of duty and gross misconduct.
Thirteen other police officers are currently being detained and investigated for their roles in the escape, the statement added.
Mr Idris also directed Esa Sunday Ogbu, Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja to immediately proceed and take over as the new Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command.
Meanwhile, the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team and Special Tactical Squad, Personnel of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department have arrived in Kogi State to work with the Police personnel in the State for immediate re-arrest of the escaped suspects.
“They are to also carry out detail investigation into the escape and bring all those involved to justice,” the police said.
Recall that the Kogi State Police Command had declared the lawmaker representing the Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, wanted.
How suspects who indicted Dino Melaye escaped from custody
The Kogi State Police Commissioner, Ali Janga has given graphic details of how the two suspects who indicted Senator Dino Melaye escaped from custody on Wednesday morning.
The two principal suspects who indicted Senator Melaye in arms dealing but now on the run are Kabiru Seidu, aka Osama and Nuhu Salisu, aka Small.
Janga alleged “serious connivance” on the part of the 12 of his men who were on guard duty at the time of the incident.
According to him, 12 of his men who were on duty when the incident occurred have been “defaulted” and detained for interrogation.
He said those found culpable at the end of the investigation would be charged to court.
“The attention of the commissioner of police was drawn by the DPO ‘A’ Division that the SARS Cell at the ‘A’ Division was broken by suspects and 6 suspects escaped.
“We had about 12 policemen on guard duty; five SARS operatives and seven of our conventional policemen have been rounded up and will be investigated.
“I was there myself; the padlock to one of the exhibit room through which the suspects escaped was opened. And they used hammers, nail cutters and shovel to hit the iron bar of the window and bent it and removed one of the blocks.
“And we have two of our SARS policemen behind the cell. Three of them were in the front of the cell apart from our conventional policemen that were doing their duties in the charge room.
“I seriously believe there is a serious connivance and that is why all of them were rounded up. And in the cause of our investigations, if we found anyone of them culpable, no matter how highly placed, they must be brought to book,” he said.
He said that the Inspector General of police has sent a special response team from Abuja led by Abba Kyari and assured that the fleeing suspects would be rearrested.