Matilda Omonaiye/
Kogi State commissioner of police, Mr Ali Janga, has been replaced today following the escape of six suspects from custody, including two who allegedly indicted Sen. Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu in a case of unlawful possession of firearms.
Before his removal, Janga had earlier announced that he had placed Melaye and the escapees on INTERPOL watch list to prevent them from leaving the country.
According to a statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Jimoh Moshood, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim K. Idris, was dissatisfied with the circumstances surrounding the escape of the six suspects including two principal suspects identified as KABIRU SEIDU A.K.A OSAMA, NUHU SALISU A.K.A SMALL, who allegedly indicted Melaye and Audu in a case of Conspiracy and Unlawful possession of Prohibited Firearm already filed at the Federal High Court, Lokoja.
The case came up in court today.
Moshood stated that IGP ordered the immediate removal of Janga and the 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 in the escape of the suspects.
The officers, according to Moshood, have been transferred out of the State and are facing serious disciplinary action.
Thirteen other police officers are currently being detained and investigated for their roles in the escape.
He stated further: “CP Esa Sunday Ogbu, Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja has been directed by the IGP to immediately proceed and take over as the new Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command.
“Furthermore, on the order of the IGP, the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team and Special Tactical Squad, Personnel of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department have already 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 detailed investigations into the escape and bring all those involved to justice.
“The Force wishes to implore the good people of Kogi State to remain calm and assist with useful information to the Joint Police Investigation Team. They can report any information they have on the escaped suspects to the nearest Police Station in the State or any other State in the Country.”
Moshood identified the escapees as Kabiru Seidu a.k.a Osama, Nuhu Salisu a.k.a Small, Aliyu Isa, Adams Suleiman, Emmanuel Audu and Musa Mohammed.
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