Attack On Apostle Suleiman: Suspect Killed In Mysterious Circumstances, DPO Redeployed

By Ayodele Oni

More reactions continue to trail the botched assassination attempt on Apostle Johnson Suleiman, President, Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide in Edo state on Friday.

Already, the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) of Auchi Division, CSP Ayodele Suleiman, has been removed by the  outgoing Edo State Police Boss, Commissioner of Police (now Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG) Abutu Yaro.

The DPO is reported to have entered into trouble over the alleged suspicious circumstances an arrested suspect was shot to death.

Yaro, ordered the withdrawal of the DPO.

Already, Apostle Suleiman, in a tweet, has questioned the shooting to death of the suspect who he claims was arrested and handed over to the Police, alive. He suspects the killing of the suspect was deliberate to cover up for those behind the attack.

A report monitored on Channels Television, also, explained that the suspect was reportedly arrested alive and handed over to the police, after gunmen opened fire on the convoy of the Cleric along the Benin–Auchi Road.

Seven persons were confirmed killed during the attack including three police orderlies as well as Suleman’s aides while the Cleric narrowly escaped.

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, the Cleric insisted that the attack was an assassination attempt not a kidnapping attempt gone awry.

“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?” the preacher asked.

In a statement on Saturday, the outgoing Yaro ordered the immediate withdrawal of the DPO for 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.”

Of late, gunmen in Southern Nigeria have waylaid prominent persons, killing their aides in most cases while their main targets escape in bulletproof vehicles.