A chaotic scene unfolded at the National Assembly in Abuja on Friday when the Department of State Service (DSS) physically assaulted two senior staff members, sparking outrage and tension among colleagues and onlookers.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred when John Nnadi, a staff member of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), and Chris Odoh, a Deputy Director, attempted to pass through the gate connecting the Senate’s new building and the White House. Despite displaying their identification cards, the DSS operatives demanded further identification, leading to a heated exchange.
The situation escalated when the DSS personnel forcibly dragged the two staff members to their office within the National Assembly Complex, drawing the attention of passersby, UBA staff, Senate Committee on Public Accounts members, and journalists from the Senate Press Centre.
Furious colleagues from various offices in the White House, including the Mace bearer in the Senate, gathered outside the DSS office, threatening to take action if their colleagues were not released. The tense situation was eventually diffused when the DPO in the National Assembly, Alex Annagu, and Deputy Clerk to the Senate (Legislative), Mrs. Ilobah Isabella, intervened to calm the situation.
This incident has raised concerns about the treatment of National Assembly staff by security operatives and the need for improved relations and understanding between the two groups.
