NASS INVASION: Mass sack, redeployment of security agents underway

More than one week after thugs, allegedly acting on the instructions of a suspended senator, Ovie Omo-Agege, invaded the Senate Chamber, officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) and special forces from the Force Headquarters, have taken over the security architecture of the National Assembly.

Ripples Nigeria reliably gathered that a mass sack of Sergeant-at-Arms and redeployment of over 250 security agents attached to the parliament, is underway.

Already, Sergeant-at-Arms placed in front of the entrance leading to the Senate Chamber, have been redeployed. In their place, DSS operatives and non-uniform police officers have taken over.

Similarly, a stop & search operation has commenced in all entry and exit points leading in and out of the National Assembly. Vehicles and pedestrians are stopped and searched before they are allowed into the complex.

Loitering has also been banned by the management of the National Assembly. The lobby of the Senate Chamber, which was hitherto populated by bystanders, has been cleared. In their place, armed security men have been stationed there.

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Journalists are not exempted from the new security arrangement. Regular people who were allowed to observe plenary from the gallery, have been barred from accessing the place.

In a circular made available to journalists, the management said: “Following a security meeting held by the management of the National Assembly today, it was resolved that going forward, all cameramen of the Senate Press Corps must be in the red chamber latest by 10am on sitting days. Any cameraman who defaults will be shut out and not allowed to cover proceedings from within the chamber which will remain locked at all times.

“Also, for those from NTA that cover the proceedings live on Wednesday, you are advised to pass your cables through a point at the top of the chamber, as against lining them on the floor, which prevents the doors of the chamber from being locked.

“For members who cover from the gallery, the Exco will make available our list of accredited members to the Sergeant-at-Arms personnel upstairs. Only duly accredited members of the Corps will be allowed into the press gallery.”

However, petty traders and food vendors who are not accredited by the management of the National Assembly, still ply their trades unhindered.

Despite the new security arrangement, the food vendors and petty traders/marketers gain access to the parliament, without valid identity cards.

As for the planned sack and redeployment of security agents, it was learnt that the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who doubles as chairman of the National Assembly, has already given the marching orders to the management of the National Assembly to effect the changes.

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