Tension As Senate Recieves Security Chiefs

Two of the security chiefs invited by the Senate arrived at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, Wednesday May 23, 2018 in an apparent bid to answer questions on the recurring conflicts between herdsmen and farmers across states in Nigeria.

Lawal Daura, director general, department of State Services, DSS and Abayomi Olonisakin, general and chief of defence staff, arrived earlier at the office of Ita Enang, special adviser to the president on National Assembly Matters. So far they are the two leading security chiefs who have been seen within the premises of the Complex to have appeared to honour the Senate invitation. Other security chiefs expected there are head of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS , his counterpart at the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Inspector general of Police.

Before the latest invitation , Ibrahim Idris, the inspector general of police had scorned three earlier invitation by the Senate. In fact, after the legislators refused to deal with a deputy inspector general of police sent to represent him, he had been involved in hot exchanges with the Senate. Today he will not be alone, as some of the other chiefs are said to have sent representatives too. Before the face off involving the inspector general of police the comptroller general of NCS had also been involved in an ego trip with the Senate, which felt his refusal to appear in customs uniform was not proper.

It is therefore understandable if he dodged another face off with the senior chamber of the national assemby. But will the Senate, having been honoured by two security chiefs, agree to have others brief it by proxy? That is why observers are watching with bated breadth.