By Kingsley Omonobi
Aftermath of Thursday’s murder of the former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Oyo State, Alhaji Lateef Salako (aka ‘Eleweomo’), during the state’s PDP local government congresses, the Police High Command yesterday in Abuja ordered the immediate arrest and detention of Senator Teslim Folarin, Senate Majority Leader, in connection with the assassination.

Vanguard gathered that the directive to arrest the Senator followed a three hours meeting by the Police Management team chaired by the Inspector General of Police in which the situation in Oyo state was reviewed and drastic measures arrived at to stem the lawlessness being perpetrated by certain politicians in the state.

According to a source, “the account by Senator Folarin in the media insinuating he knew nothing about the killing of Eleweomo was pregnant with suspicions especially when intelligence reports had it that the killers of the former NURTW Chairman were members of his convoy”.

Another reason, for which the Senator should be arrested according to Vanguard investigations, is the fact that the Senator was not supposed to go about a political event like the congresses with mobile Policemen armed or with any armed personnel for that matter.

When reminded that Teslim Folarin was a serving Senator and a Principal Officer of the National Assembly, the source retorted, “And so what? Even if he has immunity, the immunity of any member of the National Assembly ends at the chambers of the National Assembly. And that does not mean that if any member commits murder in the chambers, he would not be arrested”.

On reports that the alleged killers of Eleweomo were unknown gunmen or thugs, the source said, “In this case, there is nothing like unknown gunmen. These are known people who accompanied somebody. They must be fished out and the Police must get to the root of this matter”.

Vanguard gathered that the IGP is very miffed over the conduct of many politicians in the country who are doing everything to heat up the system because of selfish political goals and set the country ablaze and has consequently directed States Police Commissioners to take immediate actions to stem this tide.

Recall that following the recurrence of the Jos crises last weekend, the IGP directed officers and men of the Police force to use all the experience and professionalism at their disposal to ensure a violence free elections in 2011.

Ringim gave the directive even as he noted that in the year 2010, crime prevention efforts of the police paid off as over 35, 000 criminals were arrested and charged to various courts across the country.

In his New Year message titled,‘Brace Up for 2011 General Elections”, the IG told the officers’: “The Nigeria Police force is fully prepared and determined to ensure the success of the forth coming 2011 elections”.

Stressing that “The task of ensuring a violence free elections must be given all the seriousness it deserves”, he said, “As the year 2011 approaches, you all (policemen) must remain focused, exhibit sterling qualities and professionalism in the conduct of your duties especially in respect of the forth coming general elections”.