OREDOLA ADEOLA |
…as suspected thugs escaped National Assembly complex through Presidential Villa exit gate
The Nigerian Police has disclosed that the Senate’s stolen Mace was recovered under a flyover before the Abuja City Gate, by a patriotic passer-by who saw it and alerted the Police, after it was stolen by suspected thugs who disrupted the Senate Plenary Session on Wednesday.
ASP Aremu Adeniran, Deputy Force Public Relations Officer Force Headquarters, revealed this in a statement released to the media on Thursday morning.
The DFPRO said that the Inspector General of Police has ordered the Commissioner of Police FCT Command to beef-up security at the National Assembly.
In the statement, the Police Authorities said that the Mace was recovered by the ‘Police teams who engaged in massive raids of identified criminal spots/flashpoints, stop and search operations, visibility and confidence building patrols, intelligence gathering which forced the suspected miscreants to abandon the Mace at a point under the flyover before the City Gate, where a patriotic passer-by saw it and alerted the Police.
The statement said, “Sequel to the invasion of the Senate Chambers of the National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 18th April, 2018 by some suspected thugs who disrupted the Senate Plenary Session and carted away the Mace of the Red Chambers, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, immediately instituted a high-powered Police Investigation and Intelligence Team coordinated by the IGP Monitoring Unit of the Force and further directed a total lock-down of the Federal Capital Territory with intense surveillance patrol and thorough Stop and Search Operations at various Police check-points with a view to arresting perpetrators and possible recovery of the stolen Mace.
“While a discreet investigation into the incident is still ongoing to arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice, the Nigeria Police Force appreciates the spirited members of the public, most especially motorists within Abuja Metropolis for their support, cooperation and timely information during the rigorous stop and search operations for the recovery of the Mace.
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The Police authorities disclosed that the Force is committed to the protection of Lives and Property, Peace and Stability and unwavered to sustaining the country’s democracy.
Shortly after the Mace was stolen on Wednesday, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, briefed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the forceful removal of the Senate mace by some hoodlums allegedly led by Senator Movie Omo-Agege.
Ekweremadu told State House Correspondent that the briefing was aimed at preventing future occurrence of such act in the legislature to forestall breakdown of law and order.
According to the Deputy Senate President when such incidents occur it is imperative that the leadership of the National Assembly briefs the Presidency immediately.
He added that since Senate President Bukola Saraki was out of the country, he had to brief Osinbajo as President Muhammadu Buhari was attending the Commonwealth of States meeting in the United Kingdom.
Ekweremadu noted that those involved in the act were on their own. He also urged the media to assist the National Assembly to bring an end to the brigandage.
“But let me assure you that we are on top of the situation, we continued our sitting today and we are going to continue tomorrow,’’ Ekweremadu stated.
He said that the police were still investigating the matter and that the Senate would find out those who aided the coming of the invaders.
The Deputy Senate President further confirmed that the Police authorities have arrested some of the suspects, promising that the Senate would get to the investigate the root cause of the matter.
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