The House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously called for deliberate efforts toward curbing the outrage of the Forum of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, which they described as a threat to national security.
Worried by the ugly development which led to the death of a policeman and left several people injured, the House resolved to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the invasion of the National Assembly by members of the Islamic sect on Tuesday.
It stressed the need for the Federal Government to dialogue with the sect with a view to finding out their grievances.
This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Minority Leader (PDP-Delta) who underscored the need to proffer lasting solutions to the life-threatening issue.
Recall that some of the security operatives who were at the scene of the invasion which occurred on Tuesday disclosed that four guns were snatched from the Police officers and shot sporadically before officers of the Department of State Security (DSS) arrived to dislodge the protesters.
He lamented that the action of the Shiites further exposed the porous security at the National Assembly and the failure of the Sergeant-at-arms and other security operatives to carry out proper checks of visitors entering the National Assembly.
While lamenting the way the members of the sect overpowered the security agencies on the ground, the lawmaker proposed adequate insurance coverage for Sergeant-at-arms and other security operatives deployed to the National Assembly.
Hon. Elumelu also commended the Speaker for the courage demonstrated by visiting the scene of the ugly incident and National Assembly clinics where the victims were receiving medical treatment.
He, however, frowned that rowdiness at the gate it is difficult for members to find their ways the National Assembly complex and the Chambers.
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Also speaking, Hon Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta) noted that legislation was passed for the National Assembly to be equipped and the need for the leadership of the National Assembly to interface with the Executive on how to reinforce security at the National Assembly
While noting that the law had empowered the Legislature to initiate the process, Hon. Ossai harped on the need to protect the Institution.
On his part, Mohammed Monguno, Majority Leader (APC-Borno) who stressed the need to address the clamouring for the release of their leader by the sect noted that Boko Haram crisis started the same way of staging protest.
He maintained that there was a need to ensure that relevant security agencies step up action to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate to another national crisis.
In his contribution, Hon. Onofiok Udofia (PDP-Cross River) noted that the action of the Movement of Islamic Group had become a threat to national security, hence urged the House to look at the issue dispassionately with the view to protect Nigerians across the country.
Also contributing, Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun) who commiserated with the victims of the crisis on Tuesday, decried the extent of the injury inflicted on the victims especially officers and men of the Nigeria Police to resist the protesters from total hijack of the National Assembly.
Hon. Salam who stressed the need to get to the root-cause of brooding insurgents frowned at the killing of some Nigerians during the Nigerian Army and members of the Shittee group.
To this end, he urged the Federal Government to look passionately into the agitation of the protesters with the view to douse the tension.
In his remarks, Hon. Udofia (PDP-Cross River) who cited Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) noted that the issue at hand is a security matter that should not be trivialised, adding that the motive of the protesters to terrorise the National Assembly speaks volume of their intention.
Also speaking, Hon. Simon Mwadkwon (PDP-Plateau) decried the porous security within the National Assembly complex, where some persons barged into members’ offices to advertise products.
However, Hon. Ahmed Musa who maintained that the crisis would consume a lot of people stressed the need for the agitators to be heard.
While ruling, Speaker Gbajabiamila assured that an Ad-hoc Committee, when constituted, would investigate the motion and put necessary measures in place to address the porous security in the National Assembly.
He also noted that the House would investigate whether the security operatives were involved in the invasion as being alleged by the sect.
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