Staff of the National and State Houses of Assembly, under the aegis of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) yesterday in Abuja expressed support for the call by Senator Ita Enang that sergeants-at-arms in the various legislative houses be armed to protect the legislature.
This came following the invasion of the National Assembly by policemen last week, where some legislators and workers were tear-gassed.
Enang, had, while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, advocated the provision of a legal framework to empower sergeants-at-arms to bear arms. He noted that such development could forestall future recurrence of the police invasion.
Speaking through the National President, Mohammed Bawa, the legislative workers said: “In the Act, so many changes were made to the Commissions Act of 2000 and there is this section that requires that the sergeants-at-arms be given all the support.
“We expected that they should have been armed and trained.
“Our members were attacked and tear-gassed, while carrying out their duty, by Police charged with the responsibility of protecting the lives of citizenry. We condemn it.
“We urge the police to maintain neutrality in the discharge of their duties in the National Assembly and everywhere,” Bawa said.
You see the problem with these greedy and selfish people? How many arms is the sergeant who is already at arms, going to carry? If they don’t know the legislative duties of that officer they should go and find out.