April 11, (THEWILL) – The Plateau State Police Command has warned lawmakers of the State House of Assembly to stay away from the Assembly complex.
Plateau Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, who issued the warning on Tuesday, said the complex will remain sealed until the lawmakers resolve their differences.
Recall that the impeached Speaker of the House, Ayuba Abok, got a reinstatement judgment from the Plateau State High Court last week and resumed office immediately, while the sitting Speaker, Yakubu Sanda, and others kicked against the judgment. This, however, led to a commotion, which forced the Police to seal up the Assembly complex to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Addressing newsmen on Tuesday, the State Commissioner of Police said the Command sealed up the Assembly complex because of threats and counter-threats over the unfortunate development.
The State Police boss said the Command had invited both parties to the leadership position for a meeting to find a way out of the impasse.
“They promised to be here, but only three turned up. The purpose of calling the meeting was to look into the matter for a way out. So, people should go about their businesses and do what is required by the law.
“Nobody should be allowed to trespass into the House of Assembly. There are threats that keep mounting on a daily basis, so it will be out of place for us to withdraw our men from there. I believe our presence there is very necessary so as to protect those working there.
“Nigeria is a very complex country; in spite of our presence, people are still planning to attack the place, so what do you expect from us in this situation? Certainly, we would not allow recklessness. The lawmaker should stay off the Assembly for now until all the contending issues are resolved,” he stated.
Onyeka said the deployment of police personnel to the State House of Assembly was not targeted at any group or person, but a preventive measure to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
“I would now want to state it categorically clear that the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Bartholomew N. Onyeka, is not a politician and all other police officers are non-partisan; hence, I appeal to the good people of Plateau State, the traditional rulers, elders of the state, religious leaders, parents and guardians, women’s groups, the youths, and all residents of Plateau State to avoid being used by any person or group of persons to achieve their self-serving, selfish ambitions.
“On our part, as the police, we are only concerned to ensure that Plateau State remains peaceful for all to live in, and the Commissioner of Police would not fold his arms and watch the honourable members of the Plateau State House of Assembly turn the premises of the Assembly into a battlefield or a boxing ring.
“My powers as Commissioner of Police as enshrined in Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4 of the Police Acts 2020 are relevant,” he said.
He urged all law-abiding citizens of Plateau State to go about their lawful businesses.
