ABUJA – The House of Representatives has called for an overhauling of the security apparatus of the Legislative House, sequel to reports that Boko Haram may attack the National Assembly Complex.
The motion which was moved by Hon. Shehu Barwa Beji (Niger, APC) had recalled the recent reportage on page 3 of the Daily Trust Newspaper of 13 February, 2020 indicating that Boko Haram terrorists may attack National Assembly.
Hon. Beji equally called on the management of the National Assembly to evolve installation of CCTV Cameras and Modern Scanning Systems at the gates and strategic points of the National Assembly Complex.
According to the lawmaker, that there was also an intelligence report gathered by the management of the institution on the impending attack.
He recalled that barely few months ago precisely at the tail of the year 2019, the National Assembly Complex was attacked by certain resented religious group culminating into loss of lives and properties.
“Disturbed that from the previous attack under reference, the security apparatus of the National Assembly is obviously below the threshold required for its protection.
‘Worried that the degree of insecurity in the Country speaks volume of the likelihood of such attack in a greater magnitude if we fail to be proactive
“Also worried that a terorist attack on an institution like the National Assembly which is the constitutional voice of the people will be an intermational eyesore on our democracy, given the fact that persons from different kingdoms, chiefdoms and empires who officially visit the National Assembly including innocent school kids who come on excursion could be affected by the ugly event.
“Also notes that according to the intelligence report, sirange persons have been around the National Assernbly complex and if confronted at the gate of une complex were quick to claim being constiuents of the law makers either at the senate or House of
representatives.
“Concerned that in the face of the facelessness of terrorist the security apparatus of
ine National Assemoly and its environs requires otal overhaul.
Aiso concerned that co-operation of honorable colleagues and distinguished senators is imperative in the circumstance given the fact that infux of strangers into the National Assembly Complex has been linked to us”.
The lawmaker also said that compromise by certain security personnel in the form of receiving
tokens from strangers in order to grant them access into the premises poses serious
security threat to the National Assembly complex and its environs.
He recognizes that the Intelligence Unit of the National Assembly deserve commendation for gathering the information at hand, and added that more strategies need to be evolved to prevent any attack on the National Assembly.
He further condemned the act of the unnecessary delay in issuance of staff identity cards to staffers and other workers of the complex.
Consequently, the House presided by the Speaker Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila unanimously adopted the motion.
He mandated the House Committee on Intenal Security of the National Assembly to further inquire into the instant information.
Moreover, he instantly called on the management of the National Assembly to evolve installation of CCTV Cameras and Modern Scanning Systems at the gates and strategic points of the National Assembly Complex.
The Speaker further mandated the National Assembly Management to introduce screening, registration and issuance of Identity Cards to vendors who conduct businesses within the National Assembly Complex.
Lastly the lawmaker calls on the National Assembly Management to make provision for more shuttle buses in tandem with passengers in the National Assembly to decongest the roadsides of the National Assembly.
