The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to dialogue with members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria –the Shiite to amicably resolve their grievances.
This was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Minority Leader of the house, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu (PDP-Delta) at Wednesday’s plenary in Abuja.
The Shiite had invaded the National Assembly Complex on Tuesday in protest, demanding for the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky from detention.
The green chamber recommended that the internal security of the National Assembly be thoroughly assessed and adequate measures employed to mitigate against reoccurrence of the invasion.
The legislators called for compensation for security agents who were affected by the invasion.
The house stressed the need to ascertain if men of the Sergeant-At-Arms and the police were insured under the group Personnel Accident Scheme and Workmen Compensation.
The house directed that the Committee on Police Affairs when constituted should incorporate personnel insurance for them in the budget.
Earlier, Elumelu said that the injured security agents were on duty protecting workers and lawmakers as well as ensuring maintenance of law and order in the complex.
He said that there should be provision that will take good care of security agents in case of such incident.
He advised that the house to set up a committee that will interface with the Executive to address the concerns of the Shiite.
Elumelu stressed the need to take security of the complex seriously to prevent people who do not have business there from gaining entrance.
Rep. Nicholas Osai (PDP-Delta) recalled that he moved a motion for the Sergeant-At-Arms to bear arms.
He said that the house was empowered by the Constitution to make laws urging his colleagues to make a law that would ensure proper training for the Sergeant-At-Arms as well as make him bear arms.
The Chief Whip, Rep. Mohammed Mongonu (APC-Borno) said that there were danger signs in the Shiite protest.
According to him, those of us from Borno would recall that this was how the Boko Haram insurgency started.
He said that the legislature should join hands with the Executive to nip the crisis in the board before it escalates.
