How suspended Sen. Omo-Agege ‘smuggled’ thugs into Senate chamber

Trouble started in the Red Chamber at about 11.30am, when some armed thugs, invaded the Senate. The thugs drove into the building in three vehicles- a Range Rover and two Land Cruiser Jeeps.

As a result of series of protests at the main entrance to the National Assembly, the five thugs, in company of Omo-Agege, came in through the Aso Villa gate.

Policemen, Sergeants-at Arm and other security agents, who were on ground when the thugs arrived, in their usual manner, hailed Omo-Agege and ushered him into the building, in company of the five thugs.

At about 11.30am, Omo-Agege, still in company of the thugs, stepped into the Senate chamber. Security officials who attempted to stop them, were pushed away. While three, out of the five thugs ushered Omo-Agege to his seat, the other two, made their way to the front of the chamber, where the mace was stationed.

One of the thugs, who wore an ash-colored T-shirt and a white trouser, grabbed the mace and threatened to hit anyone who dared to stop him. Bewildered lawmakers, scampered for safety, as the thug made his way out of the chamber into one of the three waiting vehicles.

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The incidence threw the entire National Assembly into chaos. Aides to lawmakers, civil servants, journalists and security agents, scampered for safety. While the chaos was yet to abate, some security agents attached to lawmakers, immediately locked the chamber, with senators trapped inside.

At about 11.45am, the Sergeant-at-Arm, brought in a spare mace, which was placed in the same position from where the former was taken away. Lawmakers thereafter, went into a closed door session.

At about 12.20pm, the Senate reconvened. Deputy President of the Senate, who presided, described the attack as an affront on the parliament. He vowed that those involved will be brought to justice. He also vowed that the National Assembly will not be cowed by powerful forces.

“I thank you for your solidarity. This morning we had an unusual incident at the chambers in Senate. At about 11:30, some armed thugs invaded the Senate chambers, assaulted some of our staff and some of the media persons and forcefully took away the mace of the Senate.

“They passed through the entrance and the gate and left the National Assembly with the mace. They attempted kidnapping two of our senators. They were eventually left, but we decided that we will not be intimidated by the circumstance. We will stand by our democracy. We will defend our democracy.

“It is an affront on the Senate. It is an affront on democracy. It is an affront on the National Assembly. It is an affront on the parliament, but we are going to stand together to ensure that we continue with the assignment. Nigerians gave us their mandate to represent them,” he said.

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