From Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has reinstated Mr. Ali Janga as the Commissioner of Police for Kogi State.
He was removed after he announced the escape from police custody, suspects alleged to be armed by Senator Dino Melaye.
The state police command spokesman, Mr. William Aya, confirmed on Thursday that Janga had been reinstated to his job by the IGP.
Aya yesterday said that Janga returned to office on April 3 on the orders of Idris.
Janga had announced that six suspects, including Kabiru Seidu aka Osama and Nuhu Salisu, who had named Senator Melaye as their gun supplier, escaped from police custody in Lokoja on March 28, 2018.
Idris immediately ordered the removal of Janga and named Mr. Sunday Ogbu as his replacement.
But Aya indicated that Janga was reinstated after meeting up with the one week ultimatum given to him by the IGP to re-arrest the suspects.
He confirmed that all the six suspects that had been re-arrested.
Aya also said that 13 persons that aided the escape of the suspects had been arrested in Lokoja.
According to him, those arrested are commercial tricycle operators who ferried the suspects to safety after their escape and the owners of the houses where they slept after their escape from custody.
He said that all the suspects would be charged to court after investigation is concluded.
Aya said that the 13 policemen who were on duty on the day of the incident had gone to the police headquarters for interrogation as directed by the IGP, saying that they had started returning to their duty posts.
Meanwhile, Senator Melaye was Thursday cheered by the at the Kabawa Primary School , Lokoja in Kogi State during the 8th day fidau prayers for the late Deputy Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Hon Buba Jibril.
Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino stole the show at the occasion as his entered into the venue with a loud ovation from the people.
He was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police, which made the people of the state that he would not attend the event.
The lawmaker was driven into the venue in the convoy of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
Melaye has a running battle with Governor Yahaya Bello which has degenerated into name calling and threatening to tear the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) apart.
Before he arrived at the event, there were reports that men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were in Lokoja to arrest him. But Melaye came and left without being arrested or molested by anyone.
As Melaye alighted from the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) of the Senate President he raised his two fingers to acknowledge sheers from the crowd as a�?Sai Dinoa�? rented the air.
Some members of the Kabawa community also provided their own local security for the senator apart from that of the Senate President.
It was gathered that Melaye shook hands with the representative of the commissioner of police at the airstrip in Obajana where the private jet that brought Saraki landed as they alighted.
Before the prayer session there was a mild drama as loyalists of Governor Bello hug their banner, and before long the supporters of Melaye came with his and placed close to that of the governora��s.
The master of ceremony quickly interjected and warned that it was an eight day prayer for Buba and not a ground for politicking.
Governor Bello was represented at the event by his deputy, Elder Simon Achuba.
The crowd was unprecedented as the list of dignitaries included Saraki, the immediate past governor of the state, Idris Wada and his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi.
Others were the majority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Emmanuel Egwu representing Idah federal constituency, James Faleke representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Kabiru Ajana representing Okehi/Adavi federal contituency, Hassan Omale representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro.
IGP reinstates Kogi CP; crowd cheers Melaye at prayer session
