POLICE BANS DINO MELAYE, OTHERS FROM HOLDING UNAPPROVED RALLY IN KOGI

The Kogi State Police Command on Wednesday announced an indefinite ban on rally, public procession and demonstration in all parts of the state.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, who made the announcement in Lokoja during a meeting with area commanders, divisional police officers and senior police personnel said the ban takes immediate effect.

He said unknown gunmen attacked people at a rally being addressed by Sen. Dino Melayein Lokoja on June 12 and the current tensed security situation in the state informed the decision.

Inalegwu added that the decision was approved during an emergency meeting of the state security council held on June 13 and would remain in force until the situation improved.

The commissioner described the invasion of the rally being addressed by Melaye as unfortunate, sad and avoidable, reiterating, however, that the senator did not obtain permission before holding the rally.

He directed his officers to start arresting motorists engaging in illegal use of siren on highways in the state as from June 22.

He, however, added that the state governor, his deputy, ambulances, emergency response vehicles and the Central Bank of Nigeria bullion vans were exempted from the ban.

He said “no abuses will be tolerated; it is strictly for crime control and not any other motive.”