Convoy attack: Apostle Suleman accuses police of cover up, claims suspect was killed

Johnson Suleman, the general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, has accused the police of muddling up the investigation into the attack on his convoy.

On Friday evening, gunmen opened fire on his convoy in the Auchi area of Edo state.

Seven persons — including three police officers — were confirmed dead after the attack.

Chidi Nwabuzor, Edo police spokesman, told TheCable that one of the suspects was gunned down by the police following a fierce gun battle.

In a video posted on Twitter, the police described the attackers as “kidnappers” while showing the suspect who was shot.

“One of the kidnappers that was caught today [Friday] while the DPO, CSP Ayodele Sulaiman, led the operation along Iyewe-Auchi Road, and after a gun battle, this one [suspect] was gunned down while others escaped with bullet wounds. Bush combing is ongoing,” the policeman said.

Responding to the tweet on Friday, Suleman refuted the claims, saying it was an attempt by the police to cover up traces that could lead to those behind the attack.

“Lies…there weren’t kidnappers… He was caught and handed over and the police killed him immediately. Why? Why killing him on the spot? Who is trying to cover up traces?” he tweeted.

https://twitter.com/APOSTLESULEMAN/status/1583585479819423744?t=jaLRlPQH6Nm_aHfKB-v0pw&s=19

Following Suleman’s claims, Abutu Yaro, the Edo police commissioner, ordered the withdrawal of Ayodele Suleiman, the state DPO.

Jennifer Iwegbu, the deputy police spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

“As part of the measures of the command concerning the circumstances that led to the death of the surviving members of the monstrous gang that attacked the convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleman, the outgoing Commissioner of police AIG Abutu Yaro has ordered withdrawal of the DPO of Auchi for debriefing at the state headquarters with effect,” she said.

“Meanwhile, members of the public are urged to remain calm and patient as no stone would be left unturned to unearth the circumstances surrounding it.”