Presidency summons IGP over commotion at National Assembly

The presidency on Friday summoned Suleiman Abba, the inspector general of police, to explain the incident that led to ‎the locking out of Aminu Tambuwal, the speaker of the House of Representatives, from the National Assembly on Thursday.

The IGP had through the force spokesman, Emeka Ojukwu, on Thursday, said the operation was based on an “intelligence report” and was meant to forestall the invasion of the Assembly by “hoodlums”.‎

Emerging from a closed door meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo as President Goodluck Jonathan is currently in London for the Honorary International Investment Council (HIIC), Abba told journalists that investigations had been launched and the outcome will be made known to the media soonest.

When asked if he authorised the invasion of the National Assembly, the IGP said, “Who did what and who didn’t ‎do what will be disclosed to you later. You know we work with investigations, investigations are going on and the press officer will address you”.

Asked if he was not aware of this operation, Abba said, “I still repeat who did what, who didn’t do what you will hear later, is subject to investigations, we just don’t talk anyhow”.‎

Speaking later to journalists of the Hausa service in the State House on whether some of his police officers were injured, he said, “Everybody has seen that ‎somebody was even beating somebody, ‎somebody was pushing a policeman from the car. ‎

“Somebody was removing road blocks mounted by police; we have never seen this kind of thing in the whole world. So we will talk to you later”.

On action that the police will take following the incident, Abba said, “Just wait our findings will reveal”.

ELIZABETH ARCHIBONG