Edo State Police command has removed the Divisional Police Officer in Auchi, Ayodele Suleiman following the death of a suspect in the shooting of Apostle Johnson Suleman convoy Friday.
Against the background of public outcry, the Edo State Commissioner of Police AIG Abutu Yaro said in a statement on Saturday the circumstances surrounding the death of the suspect would be revealed.
“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.”
It was gathered that the suspect was arrest at the scene of the shooting by vigilantes and handed alive to the police. Seven persons were killed as the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleman along the Benin-Auchi Road.
In a viral video, a voice said to be that of a policeman said, “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 bullet wounds. Bush combing is ongoing.”
However Apostle Suleman disputed the police version: ” Lies…there weren’t kidnappers… He was caught and handed over and the police killed him immediately…Why killing him on the spot? Who is trying to cover up traces?”
