A day after last Tuesday’s bomb scare that sent Federal lawmakers fleeing the National Assembly, the police authorities ordered immediate mass transfer of policemen attached to the legislature.
No specific reason was given in the circular announcing the transfer of 217 officers and men of the police, but sources told Daily Trust that the decision was taken to tighten the security at the National Assembly, which is situated close to the Presidential Villa and the Supreme Court in Abuja.
There have been reports lately that the violent Boko Haram sect had infiltrated the security agencies, stoking fears that the police force might be harbouring criminally-minded elements.
A fresh set of 215 police personnel have been posted to the National Assembly from formations in other states, according to a circular dated September 21 and obtained exclusively by Daily Trust from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The circular, with reference number CB:2720/WEL/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.4/100, signed by Commissioner of Police in charge of welfare K. C. Katso, said the redeployments have been approved by Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim.
It said the redeployments affected all officers on the rank of Inspector down to Constable with immediate effect, and that they were all transferred out of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command to other states of the federation.
Sources at the police headquarters said this was the first such massive transfer of personnel out of the National Assembly since the return to democracy in 1999. It could not be confirmed yesterday if the transfers were demanded by the legislative authorities or they were made independently by the force.
Among police personnel affected by the deployments are about 10 orderlies to senators and members of the House of Representatives, a source said.
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