National Assembly Chaos: Senators Propose Arming Sergeant-At-Arms

National Assembly Complex building

Some members of the Nigerian senate are advocating that the sergeant-at-arms be empowered to check intruders who may invade the national assembly.

This is in response to the event that occurred Thursday last week when operatives of the Nigeria police were engaged in a face off with speaker Aminu Tambuwal and other members of the House of Representatives.

Many of the senators said that last Thursday’s incident is a wakeup call for the legislature and they are of the notion that the sergeant-at-arms should be provided with the necessary weapons to perform their security functions.

Senator Ita Enang, said, “To correct and ensure that every other security personnel within the premises and precinct of the national assembly is subject to and under the control of the sergeant-at-arms. Also, that no person brings in arms into the chambers or the premises except it is all around and as authorised by the sergeant-at-arms.”

The lawmakers also want autonomy for the sergeant-at-arms just like the police in keeping with global best practices.

Senator Aloysius Etuk, said, “I think it is a very good proposal considering what happened in the national assembly on Thursday.”

Senator Kabiru Gaya, said, “They need to protect us considering the situation of insurgency, there is a need for the sergeant-at-arms to carry arms and protect the national assembly.”

This is the latest in the trails of reactions to last Thursday’s legislators/police faceoff as Nigeria battles to check impunity and other threats to the nation’s security.
-  http://www.aitonline.tv/post-national_assembly_chaos__senators_propose_arming_sergeant_at_arms#sthash.VRdhmepc.dpuf