Melaye, Governor Bello bicker over attack on senator at Kabba

macfranc007 November 05, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Akinyemi Akinrujomu

- Melaye said the thugs attacked his constituency office, thinking he was there

- Governor Bello said he took proactive steps to prevent breakdown of law and order

- The governor also said he avoid coming to the celebration to avoid disruption of peace

Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West at the Nigerian Senate has claimed his attackers were thugs allegedly sent by Governor Yahaya Bello of the state.

Daily Sun reports that Melaye said this in a press statement issued by his special assistant on media Gideon Ayodele on Sunday, November 5 in Lokoja, Kogi state capital.

The statement read in part: “Two out of the Ebira boys that attacked him in Kabba on Saturday were send by Kogi State Government but were arrested by the Police but later granted bail following the intervention of the state apparatus.”

He alleged that the thugs invaded his Constituency office in Kabba and shot sporadically, apparently with a belief that he was at the building to commission the facility.

But Governor Yahaya Bello denied any wrong-doing, he said he took a proactive step to avert an impending chaos that would have resulted in the loss of lives and property at the fiesta.

A press statement by his Chief Press Secretary Petra Akinti Onyegbule said the governor avoided coming to the celebration in order to prevent possible disruption of peace at the event.

The statement said: “The alleged attack on Dino Melaye by some aggrieved Kogi west youths, would have been worsened if the governor was present at the event, saying as the father of the state the governor decided to stay off to avert further violence.

“As the chief security officer of the state, whose job is to ensure the protection and safety of lives and property of the citizens, Gov Bello is committed to making sure that the onerous task of ensuring the safety of the entire citizens was never compromised.”

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NAIJ.com had reported earlier that Senator Melaye narrowly escaped without injuries after he was allegedly attacked by irate youths in Kogi state.

According to reports, Senator Dino who represents Kogi West senatorial district at the national assembly was pelted with stones by youths who couldn't stand his presence.

The controversial senator had gone to the Kabba day 2017 celebrations where he posed for photos with his supporters and made a speech before he was attacked.

The senator who also donated the sum of N3million at the venue, was attacked as he tried to leave in his Mercedes Benz G-Wagon.

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