The Police Corporal (name withheld) who spoke to our Correspondent in a telephone interview from Abuja, revealed that he intend to initiate legal action against the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and three of his aides, who assaulted him at the gate of the NASS, while on duty.
“I cannot afford to have my fundamental rights trampled upon just like that. The speaker of the House of Representatives is first of all a Nigerian like me. He is under the same constitution of Nigeria, just like me, and he has some guaranteed rights, which I am sure, he would not take it kindly with anybody who tries to infringe at those rights.”
The police corporal who was conspicuously showed in the video posted by the Police authority, in explanation of what happened at the NASS on Thursday last week, stressed that, the speaker used his official vehicle to shovel and ruffle him, in the process of trying to gain access into the National Assembly.
The about three minutes video, showed how Tambuwal’s aides used his car to shuffle Policemen, including the Police corporal who had stood and formed barricade in front of the car, trying to prevent it from driving into the NASS complex. The speaker was also shown in the video, sitting at the back seat of the car, while the Policeman was being manhandled.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba, had last Friday said it never ordered the arrest of the House Speaker, or any other person in connection with the last Thursday incident, but admitted that investigation into the fracas at NASS gate was on.
“I can tell you that investigation into the matter is in earnest and very soon it would be concluded. If the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) thought it wise to invite people, he would do that. That is his job and he is a Policeman, who knows what to do. I have not directed the arrest of anybody and I am not thinking of doing that. But whoever, the IPO invites, must honour Police invitation and report.”
It would be recalled that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had earlier explained why it was at the National Assembly complex on Thursday, where Policemen allegedly prevented house members, including the speaker, Aminu Tambuwal entry.
Police source said, members of the Force, were at the NASS complex, as early 5.30am, following report that some hoodlums have concluded arrangement to attack the place using high caliber explosives.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba, told our Correspondent in a telephone chat, that Policemen were at the complex to maintain law and order.
“Following an intelligence report of a likely invasion of the House of Representatives by hoodlums and thugs, the Nigeria Police Force promptly deployed its personnel to the premises to prevent a breakdown of law and order.”
But another intelligence source stated that, security operatives have earlier had information that hoodlums have concluded arrangement to bomb the Assembly complex.
“The report said the criminals were going to take advantage of the crowd that was to follow the arrival of the speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, to strike. Security agents had earlier communicated this to the principal officers of the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, IGP Suleiman Abba, stressed that consequent upon the intelligence report, “the Police condoned the area and began screening of all members and visitors alike.”
