Chaos At National Assembly As DSS Operatives Assault Two Senior Staff

Chaos At National Assembly As DSS Operatives Assault Two Senior Staff

Published on May 17, 2024
By Noah Abdulsalam

In the early hours of Friday, chaos erupted at the National Assembly when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly brutalized two senior staff members for not properly identifying themselves at the second gate of the complex….read also Just In: DSS Operatives Arrest Two-Defendants Inside Ilaro High Court (Photos)

Chris Odoh, a Deputy Director, and John Nnadi, of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), encountered trouble around 11:45 am when DSS operatives demanded identification at the gate. The staff members reportedly flashed their identity cards, which the operatives deemed insufficient.

The DSS operatives forcefully blocked Odoh and Nnadi as they attempted to proceed to their offices at the White House section of the National Assembly Complex. An altercation ensued, leading to the staff being assaulted while other workers watched helplessly. Passersby’s attempts to resolve the situation only aggravated the DSS operatives, who, joined by four colleagues, began rough handling the staff and anyone else trying to mediate.

The operatives dragged Odoh and Nnadi about 125 meters from the linking point, drawing the attention and sympathy of staff from nearby offices including Unity Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, and journalists in the Senate Press Centre. Outraged by the scene, National Assembly staff from various offices, including the Senate’s Mace Bearer, gathered in front of the DSS office demanding the release of their colleagues.

The Divisional Police Officer of the National Assembly, Alex Annagu, and the Deputy Clerk of the Senate, Legislative, Mrs. Ilobah Isabella, intervened to calm the irate workers, urging them to return to their offices. Amidst the chaos, John Nnadi emerged from the DSS office chanting solidarity songs, joined by other workers who were still around to witness the outcome.

Chanting “We no go gree o, we no go gree,” the staff marched to the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly to express their grievances, but he had not yet arrived. The DPO eventually dispersed them, appealing for calm.

This incident follows two weeks of tension after the National Assembly management replaced its official security arm, the Sergeant-at-Arms, with DSS operatives, resulting in daily altercations with staff and legislative aides.