Senate Orders Probe Into Sealing Of Akwa Ibom Assembly

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday ordered an investigation into the sealing of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly by security agencies.

Concise News had earlier reported that a combined force of Police, Army and Civil Defense took over the entire complex of the Assembly barring even the staff from gaining entrance.

The decision to investigate the situation was reached after the issue was raised on the floor of the Senate by Senator Bassey Akpan (PDP-Akwa Ibom North-East).

Senator Akpan cited Order 42 and 52 and then informed the Senate that the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly was sealed by security operatives on Wednesday morning.

Senator Shehu Sani in response described the situation as a serious offense.

Senate President Bukola Saraki in response condemned the action of the security operatives and described it as brutality. He then ordered the Committee on Police to investigate the situation.

“As parliamentarians, we should not go partisan on this issue. If it’s true that security agents have invaded the House of Assembly, it is wrong and I must condemn such brutality; but if it’s so, we should not support it.

“There should be an investigation quickly to establish this and that committee should report back to us and tell us once it’s confirmed. Then we can take it from there,” he said.

The Committee on Police is to report back to the House within 48 hours.