Chairman of the National Assembly and President of the Senate, Dr.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki has directed a review of all security arrangements
in the National Assembly to keep the institution abreast of the current
challenges in the country, especially now that the Boko Haram insurgency
has receded.
According to the Special Adviser to the President of the Senate on
Security, Major General Saleh Maina (rtd), the review of the security
around the complex is part of the periodic plans to ensure better
protection of lives and properties as well as improve on the existing
arrangement.
General Maina said in carrying out the directive of the Senate President,
the heads of all security agencies present in the Complex and other
officials whose portfolio has to do with Security have met at different
times to devise a common and water-tight plan.
Following the meetings, it has been decided that henceforth it is
compulsory for all legislators, staff and visitors to the National
Assembly to wear identity tag, Mania said.
He also said that as part of the review of the security arrangements,
there would be no loitering within and around the National Assembly by
visitors and staff. Gen. Maina further said all vehicles to the National
Assembly must be parked at the appropriate designated parking lots.
He also said that there shall be proper ýscreening of personnel coming
into the National Assembly as well as the scanning of their hand bags and
luggages. The Special Adviser called on the security officials at the
National Assembly to be polite and firm to all in the course of carrying
out their duties.
He also said that there would be training and retraining of security
personnel and staff of the National Assembly as well as general
maintenance and upgrading of equipment towards ensuring quick responses,
communication and mobility in case of any threats in any location within
the National Assembly.
Maina explained that the training of the concerned staff at the National
Assembly will further ýensure proper collaboration and coordination among
all security agencies working within the huge complex and that henceforth,
there will ý be a periodic meeting of all concerned with the security of
the institution. Also, a general awareness campaign will be held for all
those that has businesses within the National Assembly Complex to update
them on the new development.