Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) has condemned in totality the role played by the Nigeria Police force and the state security Service (SSS) today in precipitating the commotion at the House of Representatives describing their actions as despicable.
“The role of the security agencies in attempting to deny the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, access to the House Chambers is as usual, very shameful, embarrassing and the height of partisanship unbecoming of law enforcement agencies in a democracy.
“Neither the Inspector General of Police nor any other security chief for that matter is in a position to interpret the constitution, decide when and if the Speaker is no longer the speaker and then go ahead to deny him access to the chambers where he was to preside over an emergency meeting summoned to decide on an urgent issue of national importance— security” the group said in a statement by its National Coordinator, Okechukwu Nwanguma.
It added, “For Jonathan and his security Chiefs, they have demonstrated once again, that the political interest and survival of the President is prioritised above the security of Nigerians”.
The group therefore called on Jonathan to exercise restraint and demonstrate a modicum of sensitivity by showing beyond rhetoric that he is genuinely concerned and perturbed by the plight of Nigerians who are killed or displaced on daily basis by insecurity.
It also advised that the president must allow security agencies to serve and protect Nigerians and not deploy them as instruments to harass and intimidate political opponents.
