On Monday this week, while waiting at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to board a flight to Morocco, Senator Dino Melaye was arrested by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). According to the Spokesman of the Service, Senator Dino's arrest was instructed "from above".
Prior to his arrest, your favourite senator was declared wanted by the Nigerian Police Force following his alleged involvement with two political thugs arrested in Kogi last month. Somehow, he had evaded arrest, until now.
Shortly after his arrest, Senator Melaye was released.
The next day, the senator was in police custody again. Reports reveal that the police forcefully arrested him. However, a police statement stated that the senator surrendered himself to them.
The real drama began when the Senator reportedly jumped off the police van coveying him to Lokoja. Reports suggest that the fear of being harmed prompted him to attempt escape.
Plenty other things happened after the attempted escape and as expected, Nigerians reacted on social media. Here's a break down of the events and reactions.
Episode 1: The arrest 1
I have just been arrested at the international wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport on my way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Govt after checking in.
— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@_dinomelaye) April 23, 2018
Dino Melaye's Lawyer @MikeOzekhomeSAN just killed me....
Nigeria can someone die installmentally? pic.twitter.com/0EgQJTQJ5n
— GeorgeMent (@Georgeanni) April 24, 2018
Episode 2: The attempted escape
BREAKING:
There was pandemonium at the popular Area 1 roundabout Abuja when suspected thugs loyal to the embattled Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West) rescued him and whisked him to safety from the fully armed Special Anti-Robbery Squad. pic.twitter.com/vynpDF2MnR
— ABUJA FACTS (@Abuja_Facts) April 24, 2018
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https://twitter.com/Bhadoosky/status/988849364956311554?s=19
Star Video: Watch Nigerian Senate 'Distinguished’ member Dino Melaye @Dino_Melaye the Nigerian Senator famous for glamorising proceeds of corruption resist arrest. pic.twitter.com/pv25uB3OfJ
— Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí 🇳🇬 (@ogundamisi) April 24, 2018
-Lmfaooooo....Dino jumped out of a moving vehicle?
A senator in my country not some Vin diesel or Bruce Willis..
— - Numb (@purplleReign) April 24, 2018
Am I missing something?
Did someone push Dino Melaye from the moving vehicle?
His colleagues seem to think Nigerians owe him an apology for his voluntary action.
— ZahrahMusa, Ph.D (@Zahrahmusa) April 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/the_olabode/status/989396327263035393
So I learnt that Senator Dino Melaye was manhandled by our indecorous brutes in the Police system. It was alleged that they were even trying to inject substances into him before he struggled out of their hold and fell out of the vehicle after which the Police assailants fled.
— SEGA L'éveilleur® (@segalink) April 24, 2018
Episode 3: The suicide warning
Senator @dino_melaye threatens to kill himself after he reportedly jumped out of moving police vehicle. pic.twitter.com/q6NeOoRX79
— The Nation Nigeria (@TheNationNews) April 25, 2018
VIDEO: “I WILL KILL MYSELF AND PUT YOU PEOPLE (🇳🇬 police) IN TROUBLE” - Distinguish Senator Dino Melaye after he jumped out of a police vehicle via the window at Area 1 Roundabout, Abuja on 24.04.2018, 12pm.
Police were taking him for arraignment at Fed High Court Lokoja KGS. pic.twitter.com/PDa8WZ5VT8
— Abayomi Shogunle, 𝘧𝘴𝘪 (@YomiShogunle) April 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/yinkanubi/status/989039517276524544?s=19
Episode 4: The hospitalisation
.@dino_melaye lands in hospital after 'attempting to escape' @PoliceNG custody | TheCable https://t.co/SGBN3vicXN pic.twitter.com/82xiBRGp32
— TheCable (@thecableng) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Sumner_Sambo/status/988806658821378050?s=19
UPDATE: Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, has been admitted into Zankli hospital in ABUJA after sustaining injuries in the course of a reported escape.
The ambulance brought him to the hospital around 4:25pm, after which he was admitted into the emergency unit pic.twitter.com/Dv0WoIVNSN
— ABUJA FACTS (@Abuja_Facts) April 24, 2018
Episode 5: The arrest 2
BREAKING: @PoliceNG re-arrest @dino_melaye in hospital https://t.co/ZdPArolcsS via @thecableng pic.twitter.com/qtfBPxfNwj
— TheCable (@thecableng) April 24, 2018
The Nigerian Police force has taken over Zankli Medical Centre, at least 60 police men, to forcibly remove #DinoMelaye. The doctor who refused to write a referral was also arrested and taken away. It was almost surreal to watch such force for one man who lay unconscious.
— Royalian Mazi (@SammyDan) April 24, 2018
Dino Melaye Handcuffed On Hospital Bed | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/XHEDsJHXk0 @PoliceNG @nassnigeria @NGRSenate @HouseNGR @dino_melaye pic.twitter.com/zJ81yfUAep
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) April 25, 2018
Episode 6: The visit
FLASH: Nigeria Senate President Bukola Saraki @bukolasaraki leads other senators to pay a solidarity visit to Dino Melaye @dino_melaye at the hospital in Abuja.
Along with the senate president was Chairman, Governing Board, National Hospital, Mrs. Patricia Eteh pic.twitter.com/3GW4SF19X3— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) April 25, 2018
LIVE VIDEO: The Senators are now at the National Hospital, Abuja to visit their colleague, Senator Dino Melaye.86
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 25, 2018
FLASH: Nigeria Senate President Bukola Saraki @bukolasaraki leads other senators to pay a solidarity visit to Dino Melaye @dino_melaye at the hospital in Abuja.
Along with the senate president was Chairman, Governing Board, National Hospital, Mrs. Patricia Eteh pic.twitter.com/3GW4SF19X3— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) April 25, 2018
BREAKING: SARS stops Senate delegation from seeing Dino Melaye at National Hospital https://t.co/w5S3To5Q4i pic.twitter.com/apzkUKBMdL
— Daily Post Nigeria (@DailyPostNGR) April 25, 2018
FLASH: Operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) today denied Senate delegation from seeing the embattled Senator @dino_melaye who is receiving medical attention at the National Trauma Centre unit of the National Hospital, Abuja.
— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) April 25, 2018
Episode 7: The summon
UPDATE: Today, the Senate resolved to invite the IGP of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to brief the plenary in the Committee of the Whole, over the recent killings in Benue, and the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye. pic.twitter.com/n5y7hR1xY7
— Archive of the President of the 8th Senate (@SP8thNGRSenate) April 25, 2018
Episode 8: The recall cont'd
Just In: Dino Melaye Recall Process To Begin Saturday, Says INEC - https://t.co/TFMUJy1POQ pic.twitter.com/qILkeai4z3
— Abubakar Sidiq Usman (@MrAbuSidiq) April 25, 2018
INEC Set Date To Verify Signatures For Dino Melaye’s Recall | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/bECKpragko
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) April 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/jacksonpbn/status/989190489759985664
If Kogi people successfully recall Dino Melaye, other states will adopt the same process to remove incompetent senators from the house. It's gonna be a new beginning in Nigeria.
— Kemi (@d_problemsolver) April 26, 2018
Episode 9: My story
Amidst all the drama, our good senator has been updating his Twitter fans on new developments.
My brother Moses and his friend have just been arrested by the police in front of my house
— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@_dinomelaye) April 23, 2018
Denied access to my lawyers, family members and food for the past more than 24hours
— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@_dinomelaye) April 25, 2018
We are in a civil society. No warrant and case is in court yet this lawlessness. I’m a responsible NIGERIAN and law abiding. There is a plan to kill me and I know about it. We are not in a banana Republic. I can not be silenced. @BBCBreaking AFRICA @BBCBreaking
— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@_dinomelaye) April 23, 2018
Melaye is at the intensive care unit of the national hospital. Trauma section
— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@_dinomelaye) April 25, 2018
Read more here.
Episode 10: Other reactions
https://twitter.com/jackdre02/status/989424087641612288
You may think what is happening to Senator @dino_melaye is just his business, but think deep about this. If a Senator can be treated like this, who then can be spared? Opposition is good for democracy and if the PDP had been this brutal, I wonder where the APC would have been.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) April 24, 2018
If half of the level aggressiveness being shown by the Police on arrest of Dino Melaye is shown on the killings by herdsmen across the North Central & other parts of the country,the rampaging killer herdsmen that are even killing policemen would have been brought under control
— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/shawttynatt/status/989021977418584065?s=19
https://twitter.com/friendlysars/status/988821020239949826?s=19
https://twitter.com/newscantell/status/988843475692085249?s=19
These pictures are for y'all, as you are tweeting in defense of Dino Melaye while trekking from Sabo to State Secretariat this morning: pic.twitter.com/eLgBn63MvW
— Adamu Hayatu® (@AHayatu) April 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/Roitrills/status/988802693689958400?s=19
On this Dino Melaye case,
I can see we have started again.
Justifying illegality because it is against a perceived villain; ERROR THAT HAS COST US LIVES SINCE 2015.
YOU DONT HAVE TO LIKE A PERSON TO SPEAK UP AGAINST INJUSTICE;
One thing Buhari’s cantankerous regime has shown...— Ndi Kato (@YarKafanchan) April 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/lifeofayodotun/status/988934628118552578?s=19
24hrs reborn- starring Dino Melaye...
Dino arrested at airport
Police lay siege to Dino's house
SARS arrest Dino
Police transport Dino to Lokoja
Dino jumps out of car
Dino lands in Zankli hospital
— Lérd Chigbo ā (@itschigbo) April 24, 2018
This Dino Melaye matter is totally embarrassing. A senator reportedly jumping out of a police van and trying to evade arrest? A man of authority,refusing to be subjected to the laws of the land? Rather unfortunate. Which way Nigeria?
— Charles Anazodo (@chaplinez70) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/jackdre02/status/989424087641612288
Are you not entertained? Moving on to other trending topics on social media this week.
What is feminism?
This week, award-winning author Chimamanda Adichie was another hot topic on social media, for her feministic views as usual. During a discussion at the PEN World Voices Festival lecture at the Cooper Union in New York last weekend, Chimamanda asked Hilary Clinton why her Twitter bio begins with 'wife', rather than her career achievements. Read all about it here.
Read Hilary's respond below:
A conversation with Hillary Clinton & Chimamanda Adichie. On personal accomplishments, identifiers and female choice. pic.twitter.com/JAs1i5Q4P3
— T. Rânkïn' (@AfroVII) April 23, 2018
Chimamanda's statements attracted different reactions from Nigerians, here are a few of them?
Shame.
https://twitter.com/KelvinOdanz/status/988335171178033152
chimamanda said she was a bit upset by hillary clinton's bio. her intolerance for anything that does not align with her idea of feminism is really tragic. a woman can be defined as anything she wants to be seen as, what's important is that it's her choice. https://t.co/wsfk8EKkOe
— M. (@linesandtimes) April 23, 2018
Chimamanda Adichie's thirst for relevance is stupid really.
— Chima (@chimaihueze) April 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/iam__kellyjoe/status/988391828306169857
https://twitter.com/tweetMOPOL/status/988340874097635328
Chimamanda's advocate for feminism is sometimes toxic.
— S’ (@_Adunnii) April 23, 2018
Is it your bio?
https://twitter.com/GreatGracious/status/988444036255092736
Why would you describe yourself as a 'WIFE' on your @Twitter Bio?- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie queries @HillaryClinton
Chimamanda is carrying her feminist police too far, I am with her on exposing the randy Nigerian media man but cant a FREE woman chose what how she describes self? pic.twitter.com/C8eqRmZSPh— Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí 🇳🇬 (@ogundamisi) April 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Naijadailyfeed/status/988350093303611392
Probably because she does not see anything wrong with being a wife and it is non of Chimamanda’s business? https://t.co/RONajB6lgK
— HEO 🇳🇬 (@4eyedmonk) April 23, 2018
Other reactions
On this Chimamanda question to Hilary Clinton... Feminists on twitter are just mute, they don't know which side to take. What a Big L to them!
— Genius Joker NGNO 🇳🇬🇳🇴 (@GeniusJokerNG) April 23, 2018
Chimamanda is not happy that Hilary Clinton's twitter bio starts with the word "wife".
Looooooooool.
Feminists need to understand that they cannot shove their brand of feminism down the throats of all women.
The last thing we need is women bullying each other.
— B!G X ☔️ (@ExcelJoab) April 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/newscantell/status/988386277199351808
Chimamanda asked a question, one feminist to another. The person she asked the question understood its complexities and the reason it's a germane question. Yet, y'all are vexed. 😂😂😂😂
— T. Rânkïn' (@AfroVII) April 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/No1chick/status/988348357717512192
https://twitter.com/KelvinOdanz/status/988400523110965249
Chimamanda for president 2019.
— The Guy (@MI_Abaga) April 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/damola_ososanya/status/988405837239668736
One day Chimamanda will say she's upset her father is a Man.
— Gemedia (@Gemedia_) April 23, 2018
Chimamanda Adichie is a great writer. I adore her work --except Americana.
But she is not an expert on feminism or racism or Nigerian politics.
She should learn to take a backseat on issues she is not an authority on. She needs to stop embarrassing herself.
— KOBZ (@AgbaKobz) April 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Kingslee__/status/988349465168875520
https://twitter.com/I_am_doxa/status/988397768963129349
President Buhari travelled to UK and disgraced us.
Chimamanda Adichie travelled to New York and disgraced us too.
And you people think it was not God's plan for Police to arrest Dino Melaye at the airport, as he was about travelling out of Nigeria this morning?
— PRESIDENT OKONKWO (@IkechuQwu) April 23, 2018
Watch this
https://twitter.com/d_problemsolver/status/986932337903570944
Read more reactions here.
Fresh killings in Benue state
In the past months, Fulani herdsmen have embarked on a killing rampage especially in the north and middle belt regions of Nigeria. This week, some of their latest victims were members of St Ignatius' Catholic Church in Makurdi, Benue state. The attack on the church resulted in the death of two priests and 17 of their parishioners. 73 houses in the community were also burnt to the ground.
I extend my sincere condolences to the Govt and people of Benue State, the Mbalom community, and especially the Bishop, priests & members of the St Ignatius' Catholic Church, whose premises was the unfortunate venue of the heinous killings of worshippers & two priests by gunmen.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) April 24, 2018
Protests in Benue as herdsmen kill two Catholic priests, 17 others inside churchhttps://t.co/FZjC1v4oz1 pic.twitter.com/QqkCKkJXnO
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) April 25, 2018
Here's how Nigerians reacted to the news on social media
Earlier today two Catholic priest were killed by armed Fulani Herdsmen in Mbalom ,Benue state.
Here is the picture of one of the slain priests, Fr.Joseph Gor....But the IGP and Nigerian Police are more concerned with Dino Melaye..... I wonder why the Dino dey run self ! pic.twitter.com/3gCE4qvhrB
— Olúyẹmí Fásípè AICMC (@YemieFash) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/lightisgood/status/989600925814738944
Two Catholic priests, 17 parishioners. Murdered just like that by herdsmen. If u talk now, Garba Shehu will run naked into these streets, screaming that the real victim is President Buhari because the headlines make him look bad. Shush... don't embarrass d President!
— Pius Adesanmi (@pius_adesanmi) April 24, 2018
The Spokesman of Catholic diocese of Makurdi Nigeria Fr. Mose Lorapuu confirmed the killing of two Catholic Priests & 19 Parishioners by Peul/Fulani Militia who attacked St. Ignatius Quasi parish in Mbalom Benue province in early hours of today.
73 houses were also set ablaze. pic.twitter.com/haTrSGUJWY— Edward (@DonKlericuzio) April 24, 2018
2 churches have been attacked this week,2 clergymen killed.
Year after year, the blood of clergymen is spilled while doing their duties, no protest from church leaders.
WHAT IS THE NIGERIAN CHURCH DOING?
Right now, Catholic priests should be trooping to Abuja in full regalia.— Ndi Kato (@YarKafanchan) April 26, 2018
@un@AU #christain persecution continues in Nig. 2 catholic priests & 17 faithfuls killed in Benue, presidency quite pic.twitter.com/4MGxRz5Qot
— Ohanu Nnamdi (@NnamdiOhanu) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/andybes50484929/status/988901565200297985
Earlier today two Catholic priest were killed by armed Fulani Herdsmen from Mbalom ,Benue state. Read what one of the priest killed ,Fr.Joseph Gor wrote on his timeline on 3rd of Jan.
Insert are pics of the slain priests.@BashirAhmaad @MBuhari @realFFK @FemAdesina @segalink pic.twitter.com/4VNGoBtaUV— Amande Msughter Solomon (@SolomonAmande) April 24, 2018
The attacks continue
While we are still mourning the killing of the Catholic priests yesterday, Armed herdsmen have killed another 16 persons in Ali Agundu and Tsav council wards of Guma Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
When would the bloodshed end Nigerians?— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) April 25, 2018
Gunmen invaded another Church in Benue, killed 7....
Those agents of darkness and disunity have now left the FARM and shifted to the CHURCH. The Church strategy will affect the psyche of many Nigerians than Farmers. These devils will gain nothing politically from their evil.
— Ayekooto (@DeeOneAyekooto) April 26, 2018
Repeated acts of mass killings and destruction in parts of the country and Benue State in particular, point to the evil design of enemies of peace and unity who have desperately been trying to bring the country to this sorry point:
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) April 26, 2018
What does the African Union do? There's an obvious ethnic cleansing going on in Benue and being left to continue
— Imoh (@imohumoren) April 26, 2018
BREAKING: NEC bans movement of #herdsmen in #Benue, #Taraba https://t.co/tTsRLonvHJ via @thecableng pic.twitter.com/e8d5rMCVg7
— TheCable (@thecableng) April 26, 2018
The House of Representatives summons President Buhari
The House Of Reps have summoned President Buhari over what they described as unending killings in Benue State and other parts of the country @sunrisedailynow
— Chamberlain (@chamberlainusoh) April 25, 2018
The House Of Reps I believe have summoned Buhari to come and answer questions. Let’s hope he accords them respect and appears.
— Máfejópamí (@VillageParrot) April 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/KingJamesNdu/status/989127859271819264
@NGRPresident It is an affront on President Buhari for House of Reps to have summoned him to appear be4 them. Quiz Security Chiefs, not him.
— Moses Jiyah Dangana (@musajiyadangana) April 25, 2018
While we await the outcome, read this thread on the killings in the middle belt from the beginning of this year till date.
Infinity War
Marvel's long awaited Avengers: Infinity war is finally here. In case you did not know, the stories of every superhero in the Marvel Universe all build up to this one. In order not to miss a thing, you should watch previous Marvel movies and One Shots, in this order.
The best order to watch all the MCU movies that build up to Avengers: Infinity War https://t.co/u7xhwU0Vxy
— Techpoint Africa (@TechpointAfrica) April 24, 2018
Here's what fans are "saying" about the movie on social media.
Some of us will watch infinity war in like 3 months time when a clear version is available for download
— Major (@Kingadze_) April 27, 2018
before infinity war / after infinity war pic.twitter.com/uavfp2Tnzm
— f⁷ (@folkwithluv) April 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/thisbemesara/status/989749674192945152
just saw infinity war i’m not ok
— Taylor Nicole Dean (@taylorndean) April 27, 2018
Just watched Avengers Infinity War and I just have 3 words to say,
WHAT. THE. FUCK.
— Kiran (@OMGLove) April 27, 2018
Infinity War...
Damn. Movie is nuts.
Super funny at parts. Crazy intense. And that ending jfc
Lived up to the hype. Best of the three Avengers films imo.
— hungrybox (@LiquidHbox) April 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheVunderkind/status/989624075218771968
Read more here.
