Security operatives were at the Lagos State House of Assembly on invitation to prevent a security breach, contrary to reports that the Department of State Services, DSS, forcefully occupied the legislative complex on Monday.
A letter dated February 14, 2025, from the Assembly’s management to security agencies in Lagos indicated credible intelligence that a group was planning to forcefully reinstate the impeached Speaker on February 18.
The Assembly warned that such an attempt posed a serious threat to lawmakers and legislative proceedings.
The letter, signed by Acting Clerk, Mr. A. T. B. Ottun, was addressed to the Lagos State DSS Director as well as the heads of other security agencies.
Titled “Urgent: Enhanced Security Measures for LSHA Premises”, the document requested immediate intervention to prevent a breakdown of order.
The letter stated that intelligence reports suggested plans to reinstall the ousted Speaker through force, potentially leading to chaos within the Assembly.
To mitigate the risk, the Clerk urged security agencies to fortify the premises starting February 16, two days before the planned disruption.
“The impeached Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly plans to resume office on the 18th of February, 2025, as the Speaker, posing a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members,” the letter warned.
As part of precautionary measures, the Assembly requested an increased security presence and strict access control within and outside the complex until further notice.
The Clerk emphasized that these steps were necessary to safeguard legislative functions and protect members from any form of intimidation or violence.
Reports had surfaced earlier that DSS operatives stormed the Assembly complex and sealed the offices of the Speaker and his deputy. However, the Clerk clarified that security agents were not acting on their own but were invited to prevent any illegal occupation of legislative offices.
The Assembly management urged the public to disregard misleading reports suggesting a forceful takeover, insisting that the security reinforcement was purely a preventive measure.
With political tensions running high, the deployment of security forces underscores the Assembly’s commitment to maintaining order and upholding due process in legislative affairs.
Crediblenewsng.com
