Uncertainty as masked DSS operatives take over security at NASS
*Of what implication to government is deployment of masked DSS at NASS? Worried Nigerians ask
*President Buhari doesn’t interfere in NASS affairs – Presidency official
There is clearly expression of uncertainty in the face of many as operatives of Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday were sighted taking over guard duties at the nation’s apex legislative arena, the National Assembly.
While some said the new development might be as a result of the invasion of the Senate chamber and the removal of mace by suspected thugs on April 18, others said even at that, it could not be ascertained that the deployment could have been natural being that NASS at it presently constituted is strictly working in opposite direction from aims and aspirations of the Federal Government it supposed to be party of.
Recall that Senate leadership of Bukola Saraki has persistently and insistently ensured that any view or opinion in support of President Muhammadu Buhari or his administration must silenced while the owner of such opinion be suspended. A responded called attention of The DEFENDER.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, while reading out Senate resolutions on the invasion called for improved security within the precinct of the National Assembly.
Saraki who described the event as an assault on democracy and the rule of law, demanded that the leadership of the Nigerian police and the DSS must do more to prevent a re-occurrence of the situation.
Heading the directive, journalists and bureaucratic staff of the legislature were greeted with a heavy presence of police and DSS operatives manning various entry and exit points in and around the complex.
While there were regularly dressed police operatives, the DSS operatives were spotted wearing full combat gear and face masks.
Even the number of DSS men guarding the Senate President has been increased from what previously obtained.
They all wore the face masks.
It is however not clear if the increased security presence would be sustained throughout the life of the 8th Assembly, and whether the role of the Sergeant-at-arm personnel would be curtailed.
In the meantime, some of the people who spoke on the new development have asked yet-to-be answered questions about what the implications of sudden deployment of masked DSS operatives at National Assembly are to the government.
The are asking to know if President Muhammadu Buhari is aware of the deployment and that, “if not that President is the one that ordered this deployment, then one is afraid to entertain insinuation that this is done to favour the Bukola Saraki-led National Assembly.”
One of them, who refused to be identified said, “Recall that there had been reports of how the DSS Director General Lawal Daura had alleged connived with Senate to remove Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of EFCC. A Sahara Reporters report particularly revealed the extent of cordiality of relationship that existed between Daura and Saraki. Now we have the report that even the DSS operatives guarding Saraki himself has been increased.
“This is where our fear lies. But we shall continue to watch and see what has informed what has happened. Is it for the anti-Buhari elements in the Senate to be able to carry out their onslaught against the pro-Buhari elements in the Assembly? Is it just purely on the ground of national interest? We keep our fingers crossed until we hear details later. Let us leave it like that my friend,” he said.
A Presidency official, who was contacted by The DEFENDER on the development, declined comment but simply said President Muhammadu Buhari had never interfered in the affairs of the National Assembly and that he would never do.
