… Station, houses burnt
From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
A suspected notorious criminal and renowned political thug in Kogi State, Isiaka aka Commander, was killed on Sunday by a special police squad from Abuja. He allegedly led his gang to assassinate Senator Dino Melaye in his Ayetoro-Gbede’s country home sometime in April this year.
Commander, who escaped arrest, was consequently declared wanted by the Kogi State Police Command after some of his members were arrested for the alleged crime.
A witness said the notorious criminal from Obeiba in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State was killed Sunday afternoon during a gun duel with the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) from Abuja.
According to the account, the SARS operatives in three Hilux vans stormed the residence of the suspect at about 3.00pm on Sunday and attempted to arrest him. On sighting the operatives, Lukman and his gang members were said to have opened fire on them but one of the operatives was said to have swiftly retaliated, which led to his death.
The source went further to explain that his lifeless body was carried away by the security men while many arrests were also made.
It was also gathered that Luckman was a terrible criminal who had severally kidnapped, killed and also robbed people within and outside Kogi State, especially along the Okene-Abuja highway.
However, it was gathered that some of his gang members on a reprisal, immediately went on rampage, razing the community police station and cars belonging to innocent citizens. They later launched an attack on the residence of Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Deedat Ozigi Salami and the palace of the community’s traditional ruler, the Obobanyi of Emani clan, Chief Samuel Onimisi.
When contacted, the State Police Commissioner, Wilson Inalegwu, confirmed the death of the criminal and said he was killed when he first opened fire on the SARS operatives. The CP, however, said more security personnel have been deployed to the town to restore law and order.
The CP called on the members of public to go about their normal duties as the police were on top of the situation.
He also appealed to members of the public to give police useful information about the activities of hoodlums in their area.
He said police are not magicians as they work with information.