Plateau assembly complex will remain sealed until crisis is resolved, says CP

Batholomew Onyeka, commissioner of police in Plateau, says the state house of assembly complex will remain sealed until all security problems are resolved.

NAN reports that Onyeka spoke on Tuesday in Jos, the state capital while addressing journalists on why the assembly complex was locked.

TheCable had earlier reported that security operatives closed down the house of assembly complex over the speakership crisis.

He said the command received an intelligence report of possible attacks on the complex that might result in disruption of law and order.

The commissioner of police also said the complex was sealed after the command received information that Abok Ayuba, the former speaker who was impeached on October 28, 2021, was reinstated by the Plateau high court on April 3.

Ayuba was said to have resumed and presided over the plenary on April 4.

But Yakubu Sanda, Ayuba’s successor, unsatisfied with the judgement, was said to have alongside 12 others, filed an appeal and a stay of execution on April 4.

Both Sanda and Ayuba are laying claims to the speakership of the assembly.

“The members had unrestricted and unfettered access to the assembly complex which is a clear testimony that the assembly was unsealed before that judgment was passed,” the commissioner said.

“But we got information that some mischievous persons who, based on intelligence mobilised to ensure that they gain unrestricted access by all means to the assembly complex.

“I decided to seal the assembly complex to ensure that the State House of Assembly is safe and that neither life nor property is lost.

“It will be negligence and dereliction of duty on my part as the commissioner of police if having gotten the intelligence and fail to do that for which I’m here to do.

“The deployment of police personnel to the assembly wasn’t targeted at any group or persons but to maintain peace, protect lives and property.”

The commissioner of police said the command invited the lawmakers and their lawyers and advised them on the need to avoid the breakdown of law and order.

He urged members of the public to avoid being involved or used by anybody or groups to accomplish a selfish interest.