The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Inspector-General of Police

  • I have no link with murder suspects – Ogun lawmaker

    The majority leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Yinka Mafe, on Friday denied link with suspected political thugs  being detained by the Operatives  of the Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS) in Obada Oko, Abeokuta, in connection with murder.

    The Nation reported that four persons suspected to be political thugs were arrested and detained by ZIS in connection with bloody shooting and killing of one person in Sagamu, Ogun State.

    The suspects – Olushola, Olusegun, Azeez and Abolore were arrested a week ago when ZIS Operatives stormed their den in Sagamu, for allegedly killing a man popularly called Arsenal-Nice in the town.

    ZIS confirmed that some arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects, who allegedly claimed to have links with Yinka Mafe, a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHS), representing Sagamu State Constituency 1 as their sponsor.

    Read also:Falana seeks Attorneys General’s probe for failing to arraign murder suspects

    But reacting, Mafe said he was shocked to see his name being linked with the suspects, adding that at no point was he invited by the police for questioning.

    The lawmaker challenged the police to produce four suspects they claimed to have arrested and charge them to court, even as he called on the Inspector General of Police to take over the case for proper investigation.

    He also challenged on the police to charge him to court where he would have opportunity to defend himself instead of dropping his name in the media for political reasons.

    Mafe said: “I was very shocked to read about the report because as an honourable man and the majority leader of Ogun State House of Assembly, I do not have a business sponsoring cultists especially at this moment when I have nothing to gain in sponsoring them.

    “I am more surprised because this is coming at a time when we all know that Ladi Adebutu is visiting Sagamu and it is in the public domain he’s the one sponsoring the fake news against my person.

    “We also know that he’s the one using the office of the AIG in Zone II and I have to put it on record that those names released by the police are not in the custody of police, it’s all lies and I know the police cannot produce the four persons.

    “I was aware of the person that was reportedly killed, he was killed about seven year ago and it is in the public domain that he was killed during an infighting between cult groups and both sides recorded casualties, he was one of them.

    “We have been working to have peace in Sagamu and that is what we are enjoying today and it saddens my hearth that Adebutu is bringing the name of Sagamu and Remo in the news for bad reasons because we’ve worked on these boys, counselled and re-orientated them and we are enjoying peace in Sagamu.

    “It’s a pity that a lawmaker from the area whose governorship ambition is dead on arrival is trying to muscle out opposition to his ambition in Remo because he believe he owns Remo, but at the appropriate time, we will let him know Remo is not for sale and he can’t buy Remo.”

     

     

  • Buhari, service chiefs meet in Aso Rock 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting, which was held at the President’s office, lasted just over thirty minutes.

    All the service chiefs including the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, declined to comment on the closed door meeting.

    Read Also:Senate summons service chiefs, IGP over Birnin Gwari killings

    Each of them quickly entered their cars and drove out as fast as possible when journalists rushed toward them.

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali told State House correspondents that they just reviewed what they did at the last meeting.

  • IGP charges police officers to be Tactical in crime prevention

    Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, has charged officers of the Nigerian police to be tactical in the fight against crime in the country.

    The IGP also directed his officers to respect human rights and dignity in the discharge of their duties.

    IGP Idris gave the charge in Jos Saturday at the graduation ceremony of 44 Chief Superintendent of Police (CSPs) who participated in the Tactical Leadership and Command Course (TLCC)

    IGP said, “The tactical leadership and Command Course is the intermediate among the three executive courses offered by the college. The course which is for Chief superintendent of police (CSPs) draws drawn from various commands and formations across the country is designed for participants to have an overview of the Nigeria police general roles.

    “The course creates an avenue for the juxtaposition of the traditional approach to security and contemporary ways of handling same. It equally provides for thorough and comparative studies on isolated pressing and recurring security challenges with a view of improving the service tactics and successful surmounting such challenges.

    The course, being a leadership-oriented one, is meant to further impact on the participants with required skills to effectively manage their subordinates and prepare them for future leadership responsibilities.

    Having bee trained and equipped with these skills, you are expected to go back to your respective commands and formations and demonstrate your new knowledge in a more effective crime management in a professional ways to reduce crime in our society.

    Earlier in his remarks, Commandant of the College, AIG Dorothy Gimba said, “The police staff college with the support of the force management team under the leadership of IGP Ibrahim Idris has witnessed significant transformation in the areas of academic and infrastructure.

    The commandant informed the participants that to whom much is given, much is expected. She added that the participants were assigned topics of interest on contemporary issues and were expected to proffer solutions to myriads of problems bedeviling the country.

    In his valedictory remarks, course chairman, CSP Yahaya Hassan, assured the IGP and the commandant that the skills acquired in the training will be put to maximum use for the benefit of citizens of the country.

  • Offa bank robbery: Dismissed cop admits over 20 murders

    Says he was on a mission to kill policemen

     

    The dismissed Corporal turned leader of the armed robbery gang that attacked commercial banks in Offa, Kwara State, Michael Adiku has told detectives why he wasted many lives including those of policemen that day.

    Adiku, who said he was on a killing spree, told operatives of the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Intelligence Response Team (IRT) that he personally killed over 20 people, mostly policemen during the operation.

    The suspect said he deliberately killed those policemen that day because he has scores to settle with the system, adding that they took Tramadol and other hard drugs before embarking on the mission.

    Adikwu, a Corporal attached to the Kwara State unit of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), was dismissed after he was accused of freeing suspected armed robbers. He was later charged to court and sent to prison, where he spent three years.

    A police source who gave update on the case, told our Correspondent that from findings, Adikwu had vowed to deal with the police for dismissing and jailing him.

    He said: “Adikwu, while in prison, had been threatening to the hearing of other inmates, that he would kill as many policemen as possible once he had the opportunity. He said that since police dismissed and made him go to prison because he released armed robbers that he too would deal with the police.

    “He was the organiser of the robbery. He recruited other members and they had series of meeting while planning the attack.

    “The gang went to Offa three times on surveillance mission. The police station and banks were carefully studied.

    Read Also: Offa Robbery: Police arrest two wanted suspects

    “Adikwu led three others into the police station, while others stayed outside. They walked into the station as if they wanted to lodge a complaint with their pistols concealed under their clothes.

    “Immediately they entered, Adikwu said he shot the station guard he killed nine policemen at the station and carried their rifles.

    “The suspects confessed that they took Tramadol and other hard drugs before embarking on the operation. Over 30 people were killed that day and Adikwu said he personally killed over 20.

    “One of those he went into the police station with was Arrow (Kunle Ogunleye). They took those at the station by surprise and opened fire immediately they entered.

    “The attack on the police station was a vendetta led by the dismissed policeman. After the operation, he went to each of the banks which were being robbed to issue orders. He was captured on CCTV shouting at his members, telling them what to do and what not to do.”

    Continuing, the source said Ogunleye told them he did not fire any shot at the police station, adding that he killed about two people during the bank robbery.

    “He said It was Adikwu that shot and killed all the policemen. He went from one office to the next, killing everyone. They only gave him cover.”

    Another arrested suspect, Abel, the source said, confessed to killing five people, adding that he also sprayed bullets indiscriminately that injured many others.

  • Police arrest 14 highway ‘armed robbers’, ‘kidnappers

    Fourteen alleged daredevil armed robbers, kidnappers said have terrorized the Kaduna-Kano Highway has been arrested by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

    The suspects, including three siblings- Sunday Jatau, 35, Solomon Jatau, 40, and Ayuba Jatau 32- were apprehended at the wee hours of Wednesday.

    It was gathered that the gang was responsible for the murder of Senior Lecturer at Nasarawa State University, Dr. Ibrahim Mailafia , who was killed on November 3, along the highway, while on his way to Kano to see his family after bagging a doctorate degree in Artificial intelligence from United Kingdom (UK).

    Others arrested were Ishaku Luka, 42, alias Dogo; Bature Adamu, 38; Bello Abdullahi, 32; Mamuda Mohammed, 27; Ibrahim Daniel, 27; Emmanuel Garba, 27; Usman Mohammed, 35; Ibrahim Baba, 49; Bello Aliyu, 36; Surajo Mohammed, 35, and Hassan Ibrahim, 55.

    Read Also: Police confirm five persons killed in Egbura, Bassa feud in Nasarawa

    According to the police, two AK47 rifles, a pistol and a phone belonging to Dr. Mailafia were recovered from the suspects.

    The police said Sunday Jatau confessed to be the gang leader and that he was the one who shot the lecturer.

    “Suspects confessed to several armed robberies, kidnappings and murders within the highways of akaduna, Kano and Niger States. Two AK47 rifles loaded with ammunition, a baretta pistol and several robbed vehicles, phones, including the iPhone of late Dr. Mailafia were recovered from them. Serious efforts to arrest more gang members and recover the remaining operational weapons in progress,” the police said.

  • Police parade 13 suspected pipeline vandals

    The Police Friday paraded 13 suspected pipeline vandals in Dei-die area of Abuja.

    The suspects who belong to three gangs were arrested in Niger, Kaduna and Delta State.

    Some of the suspects according to the Police confessed to have siphoned 11,400 litres of crude oil and sold it for N580, 000.

    Exhibits collectively recovered from them include; One Mercedes Benz Actross 3335 Tanker Truck with registration No. KJA 373 XN bearing Forte Oil Plc, one Peugeot 407 Saloon car with Reg. No. ABJ 37 BK, One Yamaha 40 horse power speed boat, 26 Jerry-cans of 25 litres containing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) product suspected to be from WRPC/PPMC, welding machine, drilling Machine, valves, vandalism tools, electric drilling machine, and four drilling kits.

    Other items recovered; Tiger electric generator, 21 pieces of welding electrodes,  shifting Spanner,  one flat spanner, two puncturing rod, one half-length hose, two Saw blades, electric wires, and one loading arm.

    Read Also:Extortion: Police arrest SARS operative in Lagos

    The suspects are;  Isa Ibrahim (gang leader), Sani Usman, Hosea Danjuma, Aminu Salisu, Umar Abubakar, Aminu Muhammed, Ismaila Jimoh, Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Usman, Lucky David, Shagari Abiakeshi, Lucky Ajanasi and  Destiny Amakeri.

    Briefing newsmen on the efforts made to curb pipeline vandalism and other crimes across the country, the Force Spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood said: “The constant vandalism of Pipelines, destruction of oil and gas facilities and illegal oil bunkering in the country is of great concern to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris.

    “These serious criminal acts are worrisome because of the consequences of economic hardship, damage to public infrastructures, and loss of Government, Private and Public huge investments in the oil sector.

    “In order to halt this trend of wanton destruction of lives and properties in a critical sector of the economy, the IGP reorganized and empowered the Task Force on illegal petroleum bunkering to decisively tackle these criminals, their collaborators and sponsors.”

    On the various roles played by the suspects, Moshood said: “Isa Ibrahim, Sani Usman, Hosea Danjuma, Aminu Salisu, were arrested after an intensed trail by the operatives of the Special Task Force on Petroleum Illegal Bunkering (STFPIB) on 1st May, 2018 in their hideout in Kaduna State.

    “The suspects confessed to have vandalized crude oil pipeline near Kakau Village in Kaduna State on 26/04/2018 and in the process siphoned 11400 Litres of crude oil which they in turn sold at N580,000 to their sponsors.”

    On the second gang, Moshood said the gang were caught while trying to break the NNPC pipeline in Niger State.

    He said: “On the 27th April, 2018 at about 0230hrs, the STFPIB surveillance patrol team acting on a tip-off intercepted and arrested Umar Abubakar, Aminu Muhammed, Ismaila Jimoh, Oni Ajibade, Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Usman while in the process of breaking the NNPC pipeline around Bonu village in Guarara LGA of Niger State.

    “The vandalized NNPC pipeline runs through Izon NNPC pump station to Minna NNPC Depot.”

    The Police said the third gang were intercepted on the high sea while conveying products already vandalised to Warri south.

    The Spokesman said: “The third gang members were arrested on 26 April, 2018 at about 1800hrs by operatives of the IGP-STFPIB while on waterway patrol along Benneth community riverine area of Warri South, Delta State.

    “They were arrested on the high sea while conveying the vandalized product to Warri south in Delta State.”

    Moshood said all the suspects admitted and confessed to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime.

    He also said investigation was in progress to arrest other suspects still at large adding that all the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

    One of the suspects, Lucky David said he only got 26 Jerry-cans of 25 litres fuel out of the 50 Jerry-cans he took to the site.

    “I know what I did is illegal but I didn’t fill all the Jerry-cans I went with. I went with 50 Jerry-cans of 25 litres but I was only able to fill 26 of those Jerry cans with crude oil.

  • Police warns Saraki against interfering with investigation

    The Police Wednesday expressed shock over the allegation made by the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki that the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Ibrahim Idris is plotting against him.

    The Police said the claim was an attempt to divert the Police investigation into the killings of more than 11 innocent people from kwara State and other States of the Federation by the killer squad who operate under the guise of a cult group.

    The Police also warned Saraki not to interfere with investigation noting that attempt to do so is an offence.

    The Police while trying to defend its action of transferring the case highlighted some cases that were transferred from State commands to the Force headquarters.

    Read Also:Senate Vs IGP: Police Chief’s Attitude disrespects Nigerians, Democracy – PFN

    It also explained that the transfer was in accordance with Police investigation procedures adding that the IGP had no vested interest in the case.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday by the Force Spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to Press Statement credited to the Senate President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki of  “Plot against him by IGP”.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is shocked at the unbelievable claims, unverifiable allegations and unfounded accusations being peddled against the IGP by the Senate President, accusing the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris of plot and strategies against him to settle scores.

    “The Force therefore wishes to categorically state that, there is no iota of truth in the allegation and false assertion by the Senate President of plot against him by the IGP to implicate the Kwara State Government and the Senate President in any criminal matter.

    “Until investigation is concluded, any person (s) or group(s) who tries to interfere in the investigation process by action or utterances is committing an offence.”

    Giving more insight about the suspects mentioned by the Senate President, the police said:  “To set the records straight, the Kwara State Police Command on the 11th of May, 2018, paraded the following suspects before the Media and the Public, namely;

    Abolaji Safti Ojulari of Kankatu area, Ilorin,  Lanre  Mohammed Soliu a.k.a Askari of Ile Nda Compound, Ilorin, Azeez Moyaki of Moyaki Compound, Gambari Area Ilorin,  Suleiman Babatunde of Gambari Area, Ilorin,  Yusuf Habeeb of Kangile Village, Kulende, Ilorin and Umar Yahaya of Kangile Village, Kulende,  Ilorin.

    “The suspects admitted and confessed before the press and the public to have killed 11 innocent persons in kwara State and other States of the country.”

    The Police said the suspects confessed to have killed their targets on the instructions of their sponsors.

    Names of some of the victims who were killed in cold blood according to the Police are; “Bukola Ajikobi killed on 18/01/2016 at ajikobi Area in Ilorin,  Azeez Lawal killed in February, 2018 at Oja oba area of Ilorin,  Lateef (Surname unknown) killed February, 2018 at Ode Alfa Nda area of Ilorin,  Jamiu (Surname unknown) killed in February 2018 at Idi ape area, Ilorin and One segun (Surname unknown) killed in September, 2017 at kankatu area of Ilorin.

    Others are: “Wasiu (Surname unknown) killed in September 29, 2016 at Shao garage of Ilorin,  Musiliu (Surname unknown) killed in February, 2018 at Shao Area Ilorin,  Bayo Ajia killed in January 18, 2018 at taiwo Road, Ilorin, Another Lateef killed in January 2016 at Baboko Area of Ilorin,  Abbey a student of Kwara Polytechnic killed in April, 2017 at Niger Road, Ilorin and Lanre (Surname unknown) killed on 23rd August, 2015 at Isale Aluko Area of Ilorin.”

    On why the case was transferred to the Force Headquarters, Moshood said: “Consequent upon the public confessions of these vicious and notorious killer squad to the killings in cold blood of more than 11 innocent people in Kwara State and other States of the Federation, the statutory procedure and practice in the Force is that such a heinous crime and capital offence is transferred to the Force Headquarters for further investigation.

    “This is to enable a thorough and discreet investigation into the crime.”

    On whether the IGP has any special interest in the case, the statement stated: “It is pertinent to state that, there is no vested interest by the Inspector General of Police in the ongoing investigation into the several murders committed by this killer gang, other than ensuring that justice prevails in the matter.

    “Nobody, no matter how highly placed would be allowed to interfere or obstruct Police investigation to pervert the course of justice.”

    On some of the cases transferred to Abuja, Moshood said: “It is also imperative to let the public know that last year, suspects arrested over the mayhem and killings of innocent people in Ile-Ife, Osun State and those arrested in Southern Kaduna crisis in Kaduna State and suspects arrested in connection with Zaki-biam killings in Benue State were all transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja for further investigation before they were arraigned in court of competent jurisdiction.

    “Therefore, transferring this hired assassin gang masquerading as cultists in kwara State to Force Headquarters, Abuja for further investigation is in accordance with Police investigation procedures.”

    The Police said the statement credited to the Senate President can discourage living victims and deceased families of those who must have been killed by the gang from coming forward to give evidence against them.

    The Police urged members of the public to disregard and the claim of plot by the IGP against the Senate President as a ruse, unfortunate and an attempt to divert Police investigation into the killings of more than 11 innocent people.

    The Force also said it will leave no stone unturned and will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure justice in the matter, no matter whose ox is gored.

     

  • 6000 Police Job: 1265 candidates undergo screening in FCT

    …Successful candidates to resume training camp by June

     

    The Nigeria Police Force on Monday said 1265 candidates in the FCT are currently undergoing screening for the 6000 Police Job.

    The Police said over 133,000 candidates across the country were shortlisted for the job

    The Police also assured that there would be transparency and proper representation from the 774 local governments which would reflect federal character.

    This was disclosed in Abuja on Monday by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Training, DIG Emmanuel Inyang during the inspection of the exercise.

    The DIG also assured that the ongoing screening would ensure that accidental discharge becomes a thing of the past in the Force.

    He said: “We are here today for the screening of the successful candidate who are willing to join the Force.

    “This screening is a screening of documents to make sure that they meet up with the qualification.  We will proceed to physical screening thereafter to make sure they have the correct height, correct chest measurement,  no flat feet, no bad dentition,  no knock-knees, no tattoo and to make sure that they are not deformed in anyway because we want to have the best for Nigerians.

    “When we finish with the physical screening, they will be subjected to aptitude test which would be conducted by Joint Admission and Matriculation Board to ensure transparency.”

    He further explained: “After the test by JAMB, we are going to invite medical personnel to conduct another medical screening. The personnel will carry out various test like X-ray, blood test and others to make sure that they are well and fit for the job.

    “When that finishes, we are going to invite another doctor who is an optometrist to make sure that their sight is unquestionable and that their vision is okay because you need to be able to see very well before you can use gun.

    “We will not stop there, for the first time; we are going to invite a psychiatric doctor who is going to do mental evaluation to make sure they are okay mentally and to make sure that they are not on drugs.

    “So a case of accidental discharge is going to be a thing of the past. We want to give Nigerians the best”, he said.

    On when the screening would be over, Inyang said: “The screening exercise should be over by early June because training will start in the month of June”.

    On the number of men to be recruited from each local government area , he said: “All the local government will be well represented.

    “Each local government will be represented so that federal character comes to place. We have representatives from the police service Commission and the Federal Character Commission to ensure that the federal character is captured.”

  • Why I was represented at the Senate – Police IG

    The Inspector General of Police  (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has explained why he was not physically present to honour the invitation of the Senate Chambers of the National Assembly.

    The IG explained that he was  absent because he was on an official assignment in Bauchi State with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Senate had summoned the IG to appear before it to answer questions on why Senator Dino Melaye was handcuffed by Policemen and the spate of killings and insecurity in various parts of the country.

    The IG sent the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations, Joshak Habilla to represent him but the Senate rejected the representation.

    The Police in a statement in Abuja on Friday while quoting the Constitution said the duties of the IG could be carried out by either a DIG or an AIG.

    The statement by the Force Spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood reads: “The functions, duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of Police as listed in Section 215 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can also be carried out as mentioned in section 312 (1) of the Police Act and Regulation by a senior officer of the Force of the Rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police and Assistant Inspector General of Police who if permitted by the Inspector General of Police to act on his behalf or represent him in official capacity at any function, event or programme within and outside Nigeria can do so in consonant with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulation.

    “It is on the basis of the above that while the Inspector General of Police is on an official assignment in Bauchi State that he delegated the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to represent him and honour the invitation of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria in respect of the felonious offenses for which Sen. Dino Melaye was taken into Police custody, investigated and to be arraigned in the Federal High Court, Lokoja without further delay.”

    The statement further reads: “Consequently, the general public are hereby implored to note that the Inspector General of Police acted rightly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Act and Regulation and other extant laws by delegating the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to represent him at the Senate, National Assembly on 26th April, 2018 to present the Police report, actions and findings in a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms and other sundry offenses indicting Senator Dino Melaye.”

    On Melaye’s case, the Police urged the Senate not to trivialize the case against Melaye adding that the Senate should allow the rule of law to prevail.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a law abiding organization and holds the Senate and its leadership in high esteem, however the Force wishes to impress on the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to personalize or trivialize the criminal offenses (Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms and other sundry offenses) indicting Sen. Dino Melaye from confessions of two (2) suspected kidnappers and Armed Robbers namely: KABIRU SAIDU a.k.a OSAMA and NUHU SALISU a.k.a SMALL; but should allow the rule of law and justice to prevail.

  • Invasion: Senate summons IGP, DSS DG

    …Ekweremadu confirms return of snatched mace

     

    Dazed by the audacity which shrouded Wednesday’s invasion of the National Assembly, the Senate Wednesday summoned the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Director General, Department of State Service (DSS) Lawal Daura, to appear before it over the incident.

    Idris and Daura are to appear before the Senate next week, the Senate said.

    It said that the police boss and DSS DG were specifically invited to throw light on the extent of investigation into the invasion largely believed to have been orchestrated.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary issued the summon in an address after over one hour Executive Session.

    Issues relating to the invasion of the hallowed chamber of the Senate by armed thugs and steps to ensure lasting harmony in the chamber were said to have dominated the closed session.

    Ekweremadu formally confirmed to his colleagues that the stolen mace had been recovered by the police as demanded by the Senate.

    He lamented that despite recovery of the mace “it still beats the imagination of Nigerians and the civilised world that the attackers passed through the several security checks and barriers into the National Assembly and the inner recesses of this chamber and also escaped with the mace into the thin air despite the well-known fortified surroundings of this parliament.”

    Vowing that what happened on Wednesday must not be allowed to go unpunished or to be swept under the carpet, Ekweremadu assured the Senate will get to the root of the matter.

    He called on the Inspector General of Police and Director-General of the State Security Service to “ensure that all those, who plotted, aided, abated, and executed this dastardly affront on our democracy and belittled Nigeria before the international community must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.”

    A added “We will be inviting them (Idris and Daura) next week to brief us on the state of the investigations.”

    Ekweremadu who read a statement entitled “The affront on our laws and institutions must not go unpunished” said: Distinguished Colleagues, “Yesterday, (Wednesday) this legislative chamber, the nation, and the international community were treated to the theatre of the absurd when armed men invaded the chamber to assault our staff and cart away the mace, the symbol of authority of the Senate. It was a very sad testimony, a derogation, and total smear on our democracy and nation.

    “On behalf of the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Dr. Bukola Saraki, CON, I want to register deep appreciation to you, my colleagues for your understanding and maturity in the face of flagrant provocation. You showed forth yourselves as patriots and elder statesmen and women. I am indeed proud of you and salute your patriotism.

    “I want to also specially appreciate the leadership and members of the House of Representatives, the Management and staff of the National Assembly, especially our chamber staff for their gallantry.

    “We appreciate Nigerians, the media, civil society, the political parties, and the international community for the outpour of solidarity and concern.

    “Ugly and provocative as the event of Wednesday was, it soothes that the entire nation and the world stood together in total condemnation of the ugly drama, brigandage, and desecration of the National Assembly by those, who hold themselves above the laws and institutions of our land.

    “Distinguished colleagues, you would also recall that this hallowed chamber, supported by the House of Representatives, demanded that the Inspector-General of Police recover and return the stolen mace to the Senate within twenty-four hours.

    “Concerned colleagues and Nigerians, who wanted to find out if the mace had been found, have inundated me with calls and messages since last night. Let me, therefore, formally confirm to you, my distinguished colleagues, that the mace has been recovered by the police as we demanded here in this hallowed chamber.

    “Nevertheless, we believe that there should be consequence for bad behaviour. We swore to uphold the laws of the Federal Republic and the principles of democracy. It still beats the imagination of Nigerians and the civilised world that the attackers passed through the several security checks and barriers into the National Assembly and the inner recesses of this chamber and also escaped with the mace into the thin air despite the well-known fortified surroundings of this parliament.

    “Therefore, we hold that it will be a detour to the state of nature where life was lawless and brutish if what happened yesterday is allowed to go unpunished or to be swept under the carpet. It will never happen. We will get to the roots of the matter. We call on the Inspector General of Police and Director-General of the State Security Service to ensure that all those, who plotted, aided, abated, and executed this dastardly affront on our democracy and belittled Nigeria before the international community must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others. We will be inviting them next week to brief us on the state of the investigations.

    “This incident has also brought to the fore the case many of us have always made for a decentralised police system. Ordinarily, a big institution like the National Assembly should have its own police, apart from the Sergeants-at-Arm. However, the security of this parliament is fully outside the control of the National Assembly. Instructively, the same gangterism that was witnessed here Wednesday has been recorded in various State Houses of Assembly.

    “It is on this note, distinguished colleagues, that I welcome you back to this Thursday plenary. I want to assure Nigerians that we will never waver in the responsibility they have elected us to shoulder. We will all stand together to defend this institution of the parliament and our democracy. We will never fear to legislate; and we will never legislate out of fear. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Read Aslo: Ekweremadu briefs Osinbajo on Senate invasion