The senator representing Bayelsa East senatorial district in the National Assembly, Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce, has called for the release of his colleague, Sen. Dino Melaye (APC – Kogi West), who was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Melaye had tweeted news of his arrest at 7.32 am, and followed it up with an Instagram photo of himself with his travelling bags with a promise never to be cowed.
He was reportedly clearing immigration and security checks at the airport enroute to Morocco on official assignment when he was picked up.
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) confirmed Melaye’s arrest, saying it was “based on instruction.”
However, in a series of tweets, Murray-Bruce accused the Federal Government of using Melaye to win the 2015 general election only to discard him when he was no longer useful.
He tweeted, “@dino_melaye played a major role in bringing this government into being. It will be very unfortunate if the sane government he fought for turns around to be the one fighting him. Let this be a lesson for anyone who is fighting for their 2nd term. After you are no longer useful.
“I call for the immediate and unconditional release of
@dino_melaye . He is one of the few voices left that still speaks truth to power. Nigeria needs men like that and the Dino I know will not be cowed by arrest or persecution.”