Nigeria: Unknown Gunmen Kidnap Senator Dino Melaye

Nigerian controversial senator, Dino Melaye has been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on his way to his state, Kogi state.

Melaye is among the lawmakers at the upper chamber who defected from the ruling party, APC to PDP a few days ago.

He is also known for his entanglement with his state governor; Mr. Yahaya Bello whom he has been engaging in a political tiff for about two years.

Senator Ben Bruce tweeted about Melaye incidence earlier today;

I have just been informed by Moses Melaye, @dino_melaye’s brother, that Dino has been abducted by unknown persons in a Toyota Sienna that blocked their car and overpowered them on their way to Kogi to answer to Dino’s court case. Lets be on the watch out. Will keep you updated.

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) July 26, 2018

Melaye was expected to appear before the magistrate court sitting in Lokoja today in a case of alleged arms running before the incident.

The senator was reportedly attacked by the gunmen who blocked his way in a Government Hilux and a Sienna bus.

Meanwhile, Melaye was arraigned before the Abuja High Court sitting in Apo yesterday by the police and was granted bail in the sum of N5 million.

The lawmaker was arraigned on a six-count charge of attempted suicide, escape from custody and damage of police property. The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Alex Izinyonu, said Melaye escaped from police custody on April 24, 2018, after he broke the glass on the second window of a bus belonging to the Police, using his left elbow.

Melaye was said to have jumped into a waiting vehicle, an action which the police say amounted to an offense punishable under section 327 of the Penal Code Law.

He explained that the defendant while being conveyed in a police vehicle to Lokoja, forced his way out of the bus and escaped. Melaye, who represents Kogi West senatorial zone, denied committing the offenses.

The trial judge, Justice Silvanus Oriji granted him bail in the sum of N5 million. Oriji also ordered Melaye to produce two sureties as part of the bail condition.

The judge ordered that the sureties must be directors in the civil service, who are resident in the FCT and depose to affidavits of means. Senator Melaye is among the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators that recently defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).