The House of Representatives on Wednesday 10th April 2019 resolved to assess the internal security of the National Assembly and employ adequate measures to militate against future invasions following an assault by some members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) on security agencies that were stationed at the National Assembly premises on Tuesday 9th April, 2019. This was sequel to a motion of urgent National Importance that was moved by Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu (PDP:Delta) titled “The invasion of the Shiite in the National Assembly”.
Hon. Elumelu noted that the invasion by the Shiite sect who were protesting against the continuous detention of their national leader “El-Zakzaky” since December 2015 had led to the death of 3 persons and the destruction of properties in the National Assembly. He also mentioned that many police officers were brutally injured as a result of the clash. He additionally expressed concern that the action had exposed the porous nature of the National Assembly and its poor security infrastructure since intruders were allowed into the premises without proper checks.
The House also resolved to do the following:
- Urge the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency engage the Shiite sect to amicably resolve whatever their grievances are;
- Find ways to compensate the officers who were affected and hospitalized as a result of the occurrence; and
- Ascertain if the sergeant-at-arms and police officers are insured under group personnel accident schemes and workmen compensation and if not, direct the Committee on Police Affairs and internal security when constituted to incorporate it in their national budget and ensure implementation.
