Police: Our officers not involved in scuffle at Lagos assembly chamber

Moshood Jimoh, commissioner of police in Lagos, says officers from the command were not involved in the scuffle at the Lagos house of assembly chamber on February 17.

On Monday, security operatives sealed off the office of Mojisola Meranda, speaker of the house of assembly, amid rumours of her imminent resignation.

Police vans and personnel were deployed in and around the legislative complex to forestall a breakdown of law and order. 

However, there have been reports that the police’s responsibility as the lead internal security outfit was hijacked on the day. Assembly staffers were seen screaming at some security operatives to exit the chamber amid the bedlam. 

Speaking on Tuesday while responding to questions on the chaos that ensued, the police commissioner said officers have always provided security at the legislature within the ambit of the law.

He stated that the police have no business in the hallowed chamber of the state house of assembly — which was why they were stationed outside.

Jimoh added that officers will continue to maintain security at the house of assembly. 

“No, it is not true that the police were not on site to perform our duties. Our men have always provided security there but have remained outside where the law permits us to stay,” Jimoh said.

“We do not have any business in the hallowed chamber and that is why our men were not there.”

Meranda was elected as the first female speaker of the Lagos legislature on January 13, 2025, following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa.

Obasa was out of the country when he was replaced.