Lawmaker Beaten To Coma As Thugs Invade Kogi Assembly

Kogi Lawmaker
Friday Sani, member, Kogi State House of Assembly, was on Tuesday beaten to coma and whisked away to an unknown destination by some political thugs who invaded the plenary sitting of the House throwing stones and other dangerous weapons on members who managed to escape after being held captive.

The thugs, who invaded the House in four 18-Seater buses, blocked the Assembly entrance gate with their buses and proceeded straight to man strategic positions in the premises.

Independent gathered that the speaker, Ahmed Imam, called the Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, after sensing the unusual movement of some persons.

It was learnt that the police responded swiftly to the scene.

Speaking to journalists, the Inalegwu said he had to draft his men to the Assembly to forestall breakdown of law and order.

He assured the people that his men were on top of the situation and urged the lawmakers to go about their business without fear of molestation.

However, after the departure of Inalegwu, who said he had a meeting to attend, midway into the deliberation of a motion on urgent importance for the House to wade into the crisis rocking KogiState University, Anyigba, sponsored by Linus Enenche from Olamaboro constituency, the hoodlums in their large numbers stormed the gallery and began to hurl various missiles at the members and some personal staff of Sani, who only resumed from suspension on Tuesday.

While Sani and the other legislators were being humiliated by the thugs, the police detailed by the commissioner of police looked the other way for the miscreants to have a field day as journalists who came to cover the proceeding and Assembly staff escaped with broken limbs while others sustained various degrees of injuries.

Speaking to journalists after his escape, Speaker, Ahmed Imam, of Lokoja I constituency said it was unfortunate for some persons to have invaded the Assembly molesting members who were doing their legitimate duties.

He urged the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators to serve as deterrent.

He, however, said the House had adjourned sine die to be reopened when it is considered safe for it to meet at the chamber.

In his response, Kingsley Fanwo, Director General,Media and Strategy to Kogi Governor, condemned the acts and implored the security agencies to bring all those connected with the mayhem to book.

He added that the governor had no interest in the leadership of the House as insinuated, saying it is only the members that decide who leads them.