Newly appointed Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Esa Ogbu, confirmed the development to Channels Television but declined to give the names of the re-arrested suspects.

It is unclear if the two suspects who accused Senator Dino Melaye of supplying them guns are among the three suspects re-arrested.

The men had been declared wanted by the police after their escape and a manhunt started for them.

Shortly after their escape, the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris ordered the removal of the Commissioner of Police Ali Jang and the posting of a new commissioner of police to the state.

Allegations

The latest saga involving Senator Melaye started on March 19 when the police accused the Senator of sponsoring and arming thugs in Kogi State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Jimoh Moshood, said in a statement that day that two men arrested by the police confessed to the various crimes, including several kidnappings and armed robbery in the state, and that they were political thugs armed by Senator Melaye.

The Senator, however, rejected the allegations, describing them as part of a gang up to silence him. He added, “The battle to liberate Kogi State and Nigeria is a battle of no retreat no surrender.”

Five days later, on March 24, the police threatened to declare him wanted after accusing him of shunning invitations concerning the matter.

The Force PRO said he would be so declared if he failed to present himself before the Kogi State Police Command on Wednesday, March 28.

The saga took a twist on that day, however, as the police disclosed in the early hours of the day that the suspects had escaped along with others.

While the IGP removed the police commissioner in the state over the matter, Senator Melaye gave the IGP 48 hours to produce the suspects.

Speaking during plenary hours after the escape,  the Senator who represents Kogi West, said it was worrisome that the suspects escaped on a day when they were all scheduled to appear before the Lokoja high court.

Furthermore, he threatened to sue the police boss for intimidation and harassment.