The House of Representatives has called for the urgent overhaul of the security system at the National Assembly and its environs, following a recent report that the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents are planning to attack the National Assembly Complex.
Consequently, the House called on the management of the National Assembly to evolve the installation of CCTV Cameras and Modern Scanning Systems at the gates and strategic points of the National Assembly Complex.
It mandated the National Assembly Management to introduce screening and registration and issuance of Identity Cards to vendors who conduct
businesses within the National Assembly Complex.
he House also mandated the House Committee on Internal Security of the National Assembly to further inquire into the instant information on the planned attack.
The Green Chamber made these resolutions Tuesday during plenary, following adoption of a motion to: “Calling for the Need to Urgently Overhaul and Intensify the National Assembly Security System”, sponsored by Shehu Beji (APC, Niger).
Presenting the motion, Beji said that the House: “notes the recent reportage on page 3 of the Daily Trust newspaper of 13 February 2020 indicating that Boko Haram terrorists may attack National Assembly according to intelligence report gathered by the management.
“Recalls that barely a few months ago precisely at the tail of the year 2019, the National Assembly Complex was attacked by a 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 an attack in a greater magnitude if we fail to be proactive;
Also worried that a terrorist attack on an institution like the National Assembly which is the constitutional voice of the people will be an international 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, strange persons have been around the National Assembly Complex and if confronted at the gate of the complex were quick to claim being constituents of the law makers either at the Senate or House of Representatives.
“Concerned that in the face of the facelessness of terrorists the security apparatus of the National Assembly and its environs requires total overhaul.
“Also concerned that co-operation of Honourable Colleagues and distinguished Senators is imperative in the circumstance given the fact that influx of strangers into the National Assembly Complex has been linked to us;
“Observes that compromise by certain security personnel in the form of receiving tokens from strangers in order to grant them access into the premises poses a serious security threat to the National Assembly Complex and its environs’;
“Recognizes that the Intelligence Unit of the National Assembly deserves commendation for gathering the information at hand, yet more strategies need to be evolved to prevent any attack on the National Assembly;
“Also observes that unnecessary delay in issuance of Staff Identity Cards compromises security standards of the National Assembly.
“Concerned that the National Assembly security system has no means of identification for vendors who carry out businesses within the National Assembly precinct.
“Also concerned that the capacity of the National Assembly shuttle buses is way below the population in need of shuttle services, consequently making the road
sides overcrowded, which is another threat to security”.
