The House of Reps gave its committees two weeks to investigate the allegation and report back
By Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja
Members of the House of Representatives yesterday expressed their displeasure at the interception and arrest of some indigenes of Osun State from gaining access in to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by men of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
The lower chamber of the National Assembly gave its committees on Public Safety and National Security, Police Affairs and Human Rights two weeks to investigate the allegation and report back.
Sponsoring a motion, Lasun Yusuf said that on September 27 this year, a convoy of about 20 buses conveying the people of Osun State from Osogbo to Abuja were stopped, harassed and detained at the at the River Niger Bridge, Lokoja and prevented from coming into Abuja.
According to the lawmaker, the occupants of the 18-seater buses were forced to pass the night on the said bridge.
He added that the same incident re-occurred on October 25, 2011 at the same point when a Government House vehicle conveying Osun people was again stopped, harassed and detained at River Niger Bridge, Lokoja en-route Abuja for official business.
While expressing concerns over the conduct of the security agents, Yusuf regretted that “all entreaties made to the SSS and police officers to have them released after thorough inspection of the vehicles, search on the occupants and nothing incriminating found were rebuffed.
He said it was disturbing that the right to movement as guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution of these people to move freely and their general freedom of movement throughout Nigeria was flagrantly violated without any justifiable reason.
“Those that were affected were subjected to inhuman and degrading punishment by being forced to pass the night on the bridge, thereby endangering their lives and health resulting in having to take treatment in a nearby hospital for attendant stress,” the lawmaker added.
He said the action of the security agents was tantamount to disrespect to the government and people of Osun State.
The motion was referred to the joint committee for investigation.
culled form The Nation