Suspects escape: IGP removes Kogi CP, appoint new one

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has removed the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Mr Ali Janga, and replaced him with another officer, following a jailbreak in the state that led to the disappearance of six suspects from the prison custody.

Idris announced this development in a statement on Monday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood.

The decision came hours after Janga announced that six suspects, including two men who accused Senator Dino Melaye of supplying their arms, escaped from police custody in Lokoja, the state capital.

But the lawmaker has since denied the allegations and described them as attempts to silence him.

The IGP later named Esa Sunday Ogbu, Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, to take over as the new Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command.

Idris also redeployed the Commander, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in the state, the Divisional Police Officer ‘A’ Division, Lokoja and other police officers implicated in the escape for negligence, dereliction of duty and gross misconduct.

The Police boss made this known in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Jimoh Moshood.

The statement reads in part, “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni, dissatisfied with the circumstances surrounding the escape of six (6) suspects including two (2) Principal Suspects (KABIRU SEIDU A.K.A OSAMA, NUHU SALISU A.K.A SMALL) who indicted Senator Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu in a case of Conspiracy and Unlawful possession of Prohibited Firearm already filed at the Federal High Court, Lokoja which came up in court today, 28th March, 2018, has ordered the immediate removal of Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Ali Janga.

“The Commander FSARS in the State, the Divisional Police Officer ‘A’ Division, Lokoja and other Police officers implicated in the escape for negligence, dereliction of duty and gross misconduct in the escape of the six (6) suspects have also been transferred out of the State and are facing serious disciplinary action.

“Thirteen (13) other Police officers are currently being detained and investigated for their roles in the escape.

“CP Esa Sunday Ogbu, Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja has been directed by the IGP to immediately proceed and take over as the new Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command.”