In the first peep into why embattled Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, attempted to allegedly escape from police custody, before landing in hospital, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has said he was allegedly tear-gassed by the policemen in whose custody he was.
In a tweet on his handle, the Senator, who always seeks to make common sense wrote: “Just met with Senator Dino Melaye. Very sad to hear what transpired. Dino is asthmatic, yet while in transit, the police gassed him & he could barely breathe. Second time they gassed him, he had to force his way out of the vehicle. Dino literally escaped death. SAD!”
But the Police in a statement last week gave its version of what transpired. According to Poliçe spokesman, Assistant Commissioner Jimoh Moshood,
“At about 1200Hrs (12 noon) of today Sen. Dino Melaye while in lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force personnel and being taken for arraignment in Federal High Court Lokoja from Abuja, escaped from lawful custody when hoodlums and miscreants in Two (2) Toyota Hilux Vehicles blocked the Police vehicle conveying Senator Dino Melaye around Area 1 Round About, Abuja and in the process the Senator jumped out of the Police vehicle through the window and was rescued from the Police men by hoodlums and miscreants to an unknown destination.
“The Police team re-enforced and trailed Senator Dino Melaye to Zankli Hospital, Abuja where he was re-arrested. The Senator would be arraigned in court without further delay.”
With the new dimension introduced by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator from Bayelsa, the Senate may initiate investigations into circumstances that landed Melaye in hospital.
He is currently receiving treatment in the National Hospital for an undisclosed ailment, not unconnected with his ordeals last week.