Why we sealed Plateau Assembly complex – Police

CP Bartholomew Onyeka made this known in a press conference at the Police Command Jos on Tuesday.

Onyeka said the Assembly will remain sealed and warned contending members to stay off the complex until all the issues are resolved

According to him: “On the 3rd of April 2023, the Plateau State Police Command, through Social Media got the information that RT. Hon. Abok Ayuba, the former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly who was impeached on Thursday, October 28, 2021, has been got judgment in his favour to be reinstated as the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, a development which the Command was not duly served or officially informed as at the time.

“Therefore on the 4th April 2023, having gotten information that some mischievous persons who, based on intelligence mobilized sufficiently to ensure that they gain unrestricted access by whatever means necessary to the House of Assembly Complex, I took that decision to ensure that the State House of Assembly is safe and that neither life nor property is lost.

“In view of the intelligence I got, an invitation was sent to the honourable members of the Plateau State House of Assembly which they honoured and came with their team of lawyers, there and then along with Members of my Management Team, they were advised not to do anything that will lead or be inimical to breakdown of law and order hence, the deployment of Police men to guard the premises as earlier stated because it will be a negligence and dereliction of duty on my part as the CP here on the Plateau if having gotten the above intelligence, I fail to do that for which I’m here to do, which is to protect

lives and properties and above all, to ensure the continued peace in Plateau State so that life and business can go on smoothly.

“Therefore, the deployment of Police personnel to the State House of Assembly wasn’t targeted against any group or persons, as it was merely preventive to maintain peace, protect lives and properties and to prevent the breakdown of law and order.”

The CP added: “After taking such measures, the Police who is also a party in the suit, filed notices and injunctions of appeal and stay of execution on the same 3rd of April 2023 which was equally served on the parties concerned. From that period, series of meeting have been held with the view toward ensuring that the Plateau State House of Assembly Complex is secured adequately.

“On our part as the Police we are only concerned to ensure that Plateau State remains peaceful for all to live in and the Commissioner of Police would not fold his arms and watch the honourable members of the Plateau State House of Assembly turn the premises of the Assembly in to a battle field or a boxing ring.

“My powers as the Commissioner of Police as enshrined in section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and section 4 of the Police Acts 2020 is relevant.”