National Assembly wants arms-bearing force over security fears

THE security committee set up by the National Assembly management has expressed fears about the suspicious people coming into the complex in recent times.

A member of the committee told journalists on condition of anonymity on Wednesday that people dressed in “funny attire” were entering the premises daily.

The committee set up by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, recommended “arms-bearing elite force be established for the National Assembly”.

The source said the report was submitted late last year.

He said, “Unfortunately, they (strange faces) claim to be some lawmakers’ constituents, thereby beating security checks and endangering life.”

The Director, Public Affairs of the National Assembly, Yahaya Dan-Zaria, confirmed the development to journalists on Wednesday.

However, he said they had plans to tackle the problem.

Another member of the panel said, “We have this dangerous intelligence report that the National Assembly may be attacked by terrorists.

“We are not joking with it. Several steps are being taken but many stakeholders are not cooperating.

“The manner suspicious people throng the National Assembly in recent times is worrisome.

“The situation has overstretched the security architecture in the Assembly.

“Many of them if confronted at the gates are quick to claim being constituents of one lawmaker or another.”

Meanwhile, the 12-man committee headed by the sergeant-at-arms, Brig Gen Mohammed Danwalis (retd.) recommended that banks and other business outfits whose operations were neither incidental nor complementary to the functions of the National Assembly should be rationalised.

It also recommended that the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives should prevail on legislators to submit themselves to security checks, especially a the point of entry into the National Assembly:

It added that security clearance should be the major requirements for disengaging legislative aides.

Also, renewal of identity cards for legislative aides should be made annually

It urged the management to advise security chiefs to desist from bearing arms within the premises.

It also recommended that n the long-run prayer houses within the White House should be relocated.