Protesters confront security personnel laying siege to Senator's Abuja residence

dimeji akinloye

April 23, 2018 11:27 PM

Protesters marched to Melaye's residence and confronted the security operatives laying siege on the residence.

Supporters of Senator

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and policemen were said to have laid siege to Melaye's house on Monday afternoon.

The security operatives reportedly restricted movement on Sangha street, Maitama, where the senator's house is located. They were said to have prevented four of his colleagues from seeing him.

Among the senators who visited Melaye's residence are Abiodun Olujimi from Ekiti; Philip Aduda, federal capital territory (FCT), Isa Misau from Bauchi and Atai Idoko.

The protesters challenged the security agents, asking them to vacate Melaye's residence immediately.

Speaking to journalists, the leader of the group, Philmon Emmanuel, said no individual has taken care of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja like Melaye.

He said, "We heard they have arrested Senator Dino Melaye because of the truth he has been speaking. We have not seen any senator that can speak the truth like Dino.

"We have more than 36 camps in Abuja and Nasarawa. It’s only Dino Melaye that can visit the IDPs. He gives us food items, drugs and books for our children . We will not allow any bad thing to touch him."

One of the senator's lawyers, Ajayi Jaiye, said he has not been able to reach his client.

He described the security men's action as a gross violation of the fundamental human rights of Melaye, adding that they did not have any warrant issued against the lawmaker to "warrant the harassment".

Melaye's arrest

Earlier on Monday, Melaye was arrested by immigration officials at the International wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

ALSO READ: 8 things you need to know about Dino Melaye's arrest

He was picked up on his way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Government.

The police had reportedly written to the immigration service to arrest Melaye as he is not allowed to travel out of the country since his name is on the watch list.

The police had declared Melaye wanted for his alleged involvement in a murder case and provision of support for criminal elements in his home state of Kogi.

dimeji akinloye