Dino Melaye “released”: Police deny arresting senator, immigration blames Interpol

Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, has returned home after being detained at Abuja airport.

Dino is back home.

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) April 23, 2018

Melaye was arrested after immigration officials at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport reportedly spotted him on Interpol’s “no fly” list.

The officials reportedly claimed Melaye was detained on Interpol’s orders. Interpol had said it had no reason to arrest him.

“I was circled by police officers trying to hold me and saying I am on Interpol wanted list,” Melaye said moments after his arrest.

“We have called Interpol and they said it is a lie. Someone has also mentioned to me that my name was placed at the airport by a police commissioner.

“So here we are, a standoff at a public place at our international airport. We are here.”

It’s not immediately clear why Melaye was released but his trip to Morocco may now be as good as aborted. Is he really now on Interpol’s “no fly” list? Was that why he wasn’t allowed to fly to Morocco?

I have just been arrested at the international wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport on my way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Govt after checking in.

— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) April 23, 2018

Melaye, according to Premium Times, said officials tried to seize his passport but he snatched it back.

Police declared Melaye wanted for allegedly lying about an alleged attempt on his life to allegedly “frame” a senior government official in Kogi State.

Suspects in a murder case in the state, according to the police, also named Melaye as sponsor. They allegedly told police the senator gave them guns and ammunition. A Civilian-JTF officer said on record the police tortured him to frame Melaye. We don’t really know what’s going on.

Although police declared Melaye wanted, they had made no attempt to arrest him. Is he now under “country arrest” since it’s apparent they won’t let him travel abroad?

Melaye blames his troubles with the police on Kogi govenor and fellow APC member Yahaya Bello with whom he seems involved in a battle for political supremacy.

Melaye also belongs to Senate President Bukola Saraki’s camp. President Muhammadu Buhari, who both belong to the ruling APC don’t seem to agree on many things.

Is this, ahead of the 2019 general elections, another indicator of a civil war within the APC — a party opposition figures describe as “a union of strange bed fellows”?