Dino Melaye, who was detained early this morning on his way to Morrocco, has been set free.
A spokesman for the embattled senator, known as Gideon Ayodele, says the Dino Melaye was detained by Immigration operatives’ after a stand-off that lasted for a duration of about two and a half hours.
“Yes, he had been released almost an hour ago,” said Ayodele.
Senator Dino was detained by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, on Monday morning, while he was traveling to Morocco on an official assignment.
Dino’s arrest was linked to the police initially, who have been on a manhunt for him for several weeks till now, and had announced him wanted for his affiliation to the killings in Kogi state.
The senator had denied all the claim, saying his ordeal was politically-motivated.
His arrest has created a widespread reaction from several Nigerians today morning. While some has said he deserves it as a controversial lawmaker, others have criticised his arrest as an act of executive recklessness.
The development could further amuse Nigerians who have long been surprised at the police’s apparent failure to enforce their own arrest warrant. Mr. Dino was pronounced wanted over a month ago, but he still has at least two police officers in his security detail.
The senator also met with Kogi State police commissioner, the same officer that pronounced him wanted, at a burial event for a later House of Representatives member from Kogi State two weeks ago.
Gideon Ayodele said of Dino Melaye’s release:
“He was released after the police couldn’t pin anything on him.
The immigration officials who thought they were trying to help the police when they initially detained him were also embarrassed that the police couldn’t take him into custody.”
