The Nigeria Police on Friday insisted that it
acted professionally to forestall mayhem on
Thursday's commotion at the National
Assembly.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel
Ojukwu, made this known when he briefed
newsmen on police role on Thursday’s
commotion at the National Assembly.
Ojukwu maintained that policemen at the
National Assembly acted to maintain law and
order, but were rebuffed by some ``hoodlums
and never-do-wells’, who tried to beat
security check at the gate.
``When we have information that something
bad is about to happen, our job is to stop it
from happening and all we did yesterday was
to forestall such an occurrence,’’ he said.
The spokesman explained that some hoodlums
accompanied some of the lawmakers and
refused to be checked at the gate.
This led to the closure of the gate when the
House of Representatives speaker tried to gain
entrance into the National Assembly premises.
He said that the policemen acted
professionally, one of the officers was
assaulted in the process leading to the
dropping of the teargas that caused
commotion at the complex.
``The policemen on ground acted according to
their discretion and to the best of their
ability. I am satisfied with what the policemen
did yesterday.
``Law and order must be respected at all cost
and at all times otherwise the nation will be
in turmoil.’’
The police said everybody should obey the
laws of the land and do things in line with
the law.
He said: ``you cannot make a law and be a
breaker of the law, it’s not acceptable in
normal societies.’’
The spokesman said seven arrests were made
and that investigation was ongoing so as to
unravel the culprits and prosecute them.
Ojukwu assured that the police would
continue to carry out its duties in line with
the laws of the land.
He warned politicians to go about their
electioneering campaigns in line with laid
down rules and regulations.
The spokesman had earlier issued a statement
explaining the police's role in the unfortunate
incident at the National Assembly on
Thursday.
``The Nigeria Police promptly deployed its
personnel to the premises to prevent a
breakdown of law and order.
``Consequently, the police cordoned the area
and began screening of all members and
visitors alike.
``In the course of this lawful exercise, Alhaji
Aminu Tambuwal, arrived the venue with a
motley crowd, who broke the cordon,
assaulted the police and evaded due process.
``The police had the duty to restore order and
normalcy using lawful means.”
Dailytimes.
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