Police, DSS, NSCDC deploy men to solidify security in National Assembly, other places

Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Security Service, and the Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps have beefed up security around the National Assembly complex, Abuja, over the ongoing protest organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress in solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

An officer of the Nigeria Police Force who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said they were deployed to protect protesters, especially considering the recent security threats by non-state actors to launch massive attacks on strategic places within the FCT.

He said, “We were only deployed here to protect lives and properties. It is no longer news that there are reported threats of impending attacks on the FCT. So, we’re here to make sure everyone is safe.”

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, who spoke to our correspondent, said the operatives of the NPF were at the National Assembly to protect the protesters.

Adeh said, “Our officers are there to protect protesters and other citizens. There is no cause for alarm.”

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, announced that the senate had to go into a closed-door session a few minutes after the protesters stormed the National Assembly complex on Wednesday.