Kogi State Police Commissioner, CP Wilson Inalegwu has ordered an investigations’ into circumstances surrounding a mob action that ensued following the alleged mobilization of students of the Kogi State Polytechnic for an address by Senator Dino Melaye with police knowledge.
The rowdy session that ensued with both supporters of Senator Melaye and those of Governor Yahaya Bello snowballed into confrontation with sporadic gun shots that allegedly led to the death of a student, one Saka Lawal, a fresh graduate.
A statement by the Police Command, signed by ASP William Ovye, PPRO said, “The Kogi State Police Command received information today, 12th June, 2017 at about 10. 30hours that distinguished Senator Dino Melaye was addressing a rally of students/passers-by at the Kogi State Polytechnic main gate located on the ever busy Abuja – Lokoja Road by the International Market.
“The Command was not given any prior notice of this rally neither was any application received to this effect.
“Considering the charged political atmosphere in the State, especially in Kogi West, ordinarily, one would have expected a request to have been made to enable adequate arrangements emplaced.
“Senator Dino, it was reported on arrival at the Polytechnic Main Gate, was seen on the roof top of his car addressing some people/ passers-by purported to be students.
“In the course of his address, it was alleged that the Senator used insulting and offensive language in describing the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaha Adoza Bello.
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“He was specifically heard calling the Governor ‘Corrupt Governor’ and a ‘thief’ and added that the failure of the Governor to pay civil servants’ salary for many months, had led to the death and Hospitalization of some of the workers.
“As a result of the above, the atmosphere became more charged with the ‘students’ more agitated and started chanting “Ole Governor’ ‘Bello Ole’.
“Consequently, another set of crowd emerged from International Market Area adjacent to the Polytechnic, chanting in support of the Governor.
“Then, suddenly there were sporadic shootings by unknown gunmen resulting in pandemonium.
“In the process, one Saka Lawal, a fresh graduate of the institution who was passing by, was hit in the groin by a stray bullet and was rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja for medical treatment where he was pronounced dead.
“Police Personnel deployed to the troubled area swiftly helped to bring the situation under control.
“Additional Police Personnel were deployed to the scene as reinforcement to prevent an overwhelming situation.
“The incident is being investigated and those found to be involved, will be brought to book.
“The Commissioner of Police hereby enjoins all law abiding citizens of Kogi State to go about their lawful duty and warns that the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law against persons who take the law in their hands.
“Members of the public wishing to carry out public demonstration are urged to notify the Command for necessary action to prevent avoidable breach of public peace and security.
“The Command calls on members of the public with useful information with respect to the unfortunate incident, to avail her with such.”
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