Dino Melaye survives assassination attempt as cars are riddled with bullets holes (photos)

A report by Nigerian Tribune claims
that Senator Dino Melaye escaped an
assassination attempt on his life early
this morning, Saturday, April 15.
According to the report, Senator Melaye
was attacked in his residence at
Ayetoro-Gbede, Ijumu local government
area of Kogi state.
After the rain of bullet that lasted over
one hour, two of the vehicles parked
within the premises were damaged,
while part of the building was also
destroyed.
Speaking to journalists after the
incident, Melaye said the assailants
came in some minutes after 12 midnight
and started shooting indiscriminately
into his building.
Dino Melaye accused the local government
chairman of the area of sending the assailants
to murder him
According to him, the hoodlums shot at
intervals with little break for more than
one hour where two vehicles, a security
van and caravan bus were destroyed.
The senator however accused chairman
of the local government, Taofiq Isa, of
masterminding the attack because of his
criticism of the state government.

His words: “I got a rousy welcome from
Kabba to my home town yesterday
(Friday) and I know it angered the
powers that be in the state which
mobilised for this assassination attempt
on my life.
“At about midnight we started hearing
gunshot. They fired more than 200
rounds of bullet into the house. This
attempt to kill me will not stop me from
speaking the truth.
“If I speak the truth I will die, if I lie I
will die. Me, I’ve decided to speak the
truth and die. I’m not afraid of death. I
only respect men I don’t fear them.
“This attempt is being championed by
the chairman of my local government. He
had said it many times that he will do
everything to stop me from coming
home. Beside, those assailants when
leaving were chanting ‘We will know if
it’s Taofiq that owns the land or you.
“I am championing an administrative
course. I will continue to speak and be
voice to the voiceless. I’m not deterred, I
remain resolute to make Kogi better.
Noting will stop me from coming home.”
Senator Melaye has been having a running battle
with Kogi stste governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello
Melaye also said accused the police in
the area of conspiracy, alleging that
they failed to come to his house until
three hours after the assailants had left
despite their station being a stone
thrown from his house.
“The DPO did not come to my house until
three hours later. Even the area
command in Kabba was not notified until
I called the CP. I suspect a satanic
collabo between Taofiq and the police in
Aiyetoro because the duo had a meeting
two days ago.
“Only God will protect us in this country
but definitely not the police,” he added.

In a swift reaction, the local government
chairman denied the allegations made
by Senator Melaye.
He said he had no hand in the alleged
attack on the senator, and had never
been a violent person.
His words: “I’ve never been a violent
man. My running battle with Dino if any
is because I have asked him to stop
vilifying the state governor, Yahaya
Bello.
“Let him (Dino) prove it. I lost my uncle
a week ago, I’m still attending to my sick
wife and busy supervising the APC re-
registration programs. I’m a democrat
and law abiding. I challenge Dino to
prove his case.”

Meanwhile,
It was gathered that the
state Police Public Relations Officer
(PPRO), William Aya, said the command
had already commenced investigation
into the issue.
Dino has been having a running battle
with the governor of Kogi state, Alhaji
Yahaya Bello ever since the due had a
political disagreement.