IGP removes Kogi Police Commissioner over escape of principal suspects

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has ordered the immediate removal of the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Ali Janga over the escape of the principal suspects in the Senator Dino Melaye saga.

The Police had on Wednesday confirmed the escape from custody of two suspects arrested and paraded last week for allegedly working for the Senator Melaye and the son of a former governor of Kogi State, Mohammed Audu.

A statement issued by Jimoh Moshood, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday said the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, was dissatisfied with the circumstances surrounding the escape of six suspects, including two (2) 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 Prohibited Firearm already filed at the Federal High Court, Lokoja which came up in court on Wednesday.

He said following this, the IGP has ordered the immediate removal of Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Janga.

“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 six (6) suspects have also 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 said.

Moshood said the 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 detail investigation 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,” he said.