On Day 3 Of Siege, Police Fire Tear-Gas Canisters Into Melaye’s House

As the siege enters the third day, policemen keeping vigil at
the house of Senator Dino Melaye in Abuja fired tear-gas canisters
into his compound on Sunday.

The policemen were said to have fired several shots of the
canisters with the view to forcing out the senator, whom they
believe is hiding inside the building.

Officers of the Nigerian Police Force had invaded the house of
the senator on Friday to effect his arrest over allegations he was
involved in the shooting of an officer in July 2018.

Electricity supply to his house was also cut off on
Saturday.

It was gathered that neighbours living within the area were not
spared, as many of them inhaled the tear-gas, and had difficulties
breathing. The entire atmosphere was also said to have been
enveloped in thick smoke emanating from the house. The incident has
led to confusion in the area.

The Police have blocked the entire Shanga Street in Maitama,
where the house is located, and prevented many residents from
gaining access to their houses. Residents of the area have decried
the presence of the policemen, stating that it is an affront on
their fundamental human rights. Both human and vehicular movement
in the area have been restricted, as only residents with proper
identification are allowed into the area.

The house directly behind Melaye’s has also been taken over by
the Police in the attempt to prevent him from escaping through the
fence. Journalists covering the siege were chased away from the
area.

The lawmaker’s brother, Moses Melaye, had raised the alarm that
the Police may have perfected a plan to plant ammunition in the
house to implicate him.

At the time of this report, the whereabouts of the senator could
not be ascertained, but he has promised to surrender himself to the
Police.