The controversial death of one of the attackers of Apostle Johnson Suleman, president of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, has prompted the departing Commissioner of Police in Edo State, AIG Abutu Yaro, to request the removal of Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Auchi Division, CSP Ayodele Suleiman.
On Friday night along the Benin-Auchi Road in Edo State, gunmen opened fire on the cleric’s convoy. The suspect was reportedly captured alive and given to the police.
Suleman’s assistants and police orderlies were among the seven confirmed victims of the attack, but the cleric narrowly survived.
A voice purporting to be a policeman was heard in a viral video saying, “One of the kidnappers that was caught today (Friday) while the DPO, CSP Ayodele Sulaiman, led the operation along Iyewe-Auchi Road, and after a gun battle, this one (suspect) was gunned down while others escaped with gunshot wounds. There is active bush trawling.
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The priest asserted that the gunmen were not kidnappers and that the act was an attempt at assassination.
“Lies… There were no abductors… After being apprehended and turned over, the cops promptly executed him. Why kill him right there and then? Who is attempting to hide evidence, the pastor questioned.
The state’s departing police chief issued a statement on Saturday ordering the DPO to leave right away for a debriefing.
“As part of the measures of the Command concerning the circumstances that led to the death of one of the surviving members of the monstrous gang that attacked the convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleiman, General overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, the outgoing CP now AIG Abutu Yaro fdc has ordered the withdrawal of CSP Ayodele Suleiman, DPO Auchi for debriefing at the State Headquarters with immediate effect,” said the statement signed by Edo police spokesman, Iwegbu Jennifer.
“Meanwhile, members of the Public are urged to remain calm and patient as no stone would be left unturned to unearth the circumstances surrounding it.”
Recently, gunmen in southern Nigeria have ambushed well-known individuals, murdering their assistants in most instances while their major targets flee in armoured cars.
Ifeanyi Ubah, a senator from Anambra South, Chukwuma Soludo, a former presidential adviser, Ahmed Gulak, and Chike Akunyili, the widower of the late Dora Akunyili, director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, are some of the victims of dastardly attacks.
