The senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye, on Saturday, escaped an assassination attempt when gunmen attacked his residence in Ayetoro-Gbede, Ijumu local government area of Kogi State.
The unknown assailants invaded the residence around 12 am, shooting sporadically into the building.
After more than one hour of shooting, two of the vehicles parked within the premises, as well as parts of the building were destroyed.
Narrating his ordeal to newsmen, the senator said the assailants shot at intervals with little break for more than one hour, during which two vehicles, a security van and caravan bus, were destroyed.
The lawmaker, however, accused the chairman of the local government, Taofiq Isa, of masterminding the attack because of his criticism of the state government.
“I got a rousing welcome from Kabba to my hometown yesterday (Friday) and I know it angered the powers-that-be in the state.
“At about midnight, we started hearing gunshots. They fired more than 200 rounds of bullet into the house. This attempt will not stop me from speaking the truth.
“If I speak the truth I will die. If I lie, I will die. But I’ve decided to speak the truth and die. I only respect men, I don’t fear them.
“This attempt is being championed by the chairman of my local government. He had said many times that he would do everything to stop me from coming home. Beside, those assailants when leaving were chanting ‘We will know if its Taofiq that owns the land or you,” he alleged.
Melaye also alleged that the police division of Aiyetoro Gbede did not come to his house until three hours after the assailants had left, despite being a stone thrown from his house.
“Even the area command in Kabba was not notified, until I called the state Commissioner of Police. 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.
However, the local government chairman, who is also the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), said he had no hand in the attack on the senator. He said that he had been busy attending to his sick wife.
Isa, who challenged Melaye to prove his allegation against him, said: “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 programmes. I’m a democrat and law abiding. I challenge Dino to prove his case.”
Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Aya, said the command had commenced investigation into the matter.