We were hired to assassinate Melaye, says suspect

Abdullahi Isah, one of the six suspects arrested in connection with the invasion of the residence of Dino Melaye, a senator representing Kogi west, has confessed that his gang was hired to assassinate Melaye.

According to Jimoh Moshood, force public relations officer, 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 residence at Ayetoro-Gbede in Ijumu local government area of the 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 a statement.

“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.