Dino Melaye survives assassination attempt in his hometown.

Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi west senatorial district, was attacked in his residence in the wee hours of Saturday, April 15.

The assailants were said to have arrived at 12am and shot sporadically into his home located at Ayetoro-Gbede, Ijumu local government area of Kogi state for over an hour. 

Two vehicles parked in the compound and a part of the building was destroyed from the shootout. Dino Melaye, addressing pressmen stated that the gunmen showed up at 12am. 

In His words: 

“I got a rousy welcome from Kabba to my home town yesterday (Friday) and I know it angered the powers that be in the state which mobilised for this assassination attempt on my life. At about midnight we started hearing gunshot. They fired more than 200 rounds of bullet into the house. This attempt to kill me will not stop me from speaking the truth. If I speak the truth I will die, if I lie I will die. Me, I’ve decided to speak the truth and die. I’m not afraid of death. I only respect men I don’t fear them. This attempt is being championed by the chairman of my local government. He had said it many times that he will do everything to stop me from coming home. Beside, those assailants when leaving were chanting ‘We will know if it’s Taofiq that owns the land or you. I am championing an administrative course. I will continue to speak and be voice to the voiceless. I’m not deterred, I remain resolute to make Kogi better. Nothing will stop me from coming home. The DPO did not come to my house until three hours later. Even the area command in Kabba was not notified until I called the CP. I suspect a satanic collabo between Taofiq and the police in Aiyetoro because the duo had a meeting two days ago. Only God will protect us in this country but definitely not the police,” he added.

The local government chairman denied the allegations made by Senator Melaye. He said he had no hand in the alleged attack on the senator, and had never been a violent person. His words: “I’ve never been a violent man. My running battle with Dino if any is because I have asked him to stop vilifying the state governor, Yahaya Bello. Let him (Dino) prove it. I lost my uncle a week ago, I’m still attending to my sick wife and busy supervising the APC re-registration programs. I’m a democrat and law abiding. I challenge Dino to prove his case.”

Dino Melaye is in a running political battle with the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. 

It is recalled that Dino Melaye escaped an assasination attempt at the NNPC headquaters  in April, 2013