Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has denied ordering the arrest of members of a former governor of the state, late Prince Abubakar Audu.
According to reports, Mohammed, the eldest of the late Audu, was arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state, alongside his siblings, cousins and a traditional ruler in the state.
All the arrested persons have reportedly been detained at the Police Command headquarters in Lokoja, the state capital.
Reacting to online reports that he ordered the arrest of Mohammed, running mate to an aggrieved All Progressives Congress, APC, aspirant, Hon. James Faleke, who is currently challenging the declaration of Bello as winner of the controversial governorship elections of Kogi State, the governor said he did not order the arrest of anybody.
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He, however, said law enforcement agents are at liberty to effect arrest when anyone, no matter how highly placed, infringes the law.
“If members of Audu family run foul of the Law, they would not be spared just because they are members of Audu’s family. Nobody is above the law. Even if members of the Governor’s family break the law, they will be arrested”, Mr. Bello said in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fanwo Kingsley.
“It is therefore unwise to link politics and criminality. Law enforcement agents should be left to do their work. Government is focused on governance. Politics is over. It is not the responsibility of Governor Yahaya Bello to arrest suspected criminals.
“The Governor will never stop security agencies from carrying out their lawful responsibilities of safeguarding lives and property. Anyone who breaks the Law must be prepared for the consequences of doing so”, the statement added.
Mr. Kingsley reiterated the governor’s warning that criminality will not be tolerated in Kogi State, stressing that citizens must act right in the quest to build a society of true equality.
