JUST IN: Police return stolen mace to Senate

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has ordered
the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sadiq Bello, to beef up
security within and around the National Assembly complex following
the invasion, on Wednesday of unidentified persons, purportedly
brought by the suspended senator representing Delta Central
District, Mr. Ovie Omo-Agege, who made away with the legislative
symbol of authority, the mace.

In a press release signed by the Deputy Force Public Relations
Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, SP Aremu Adeniran, the IG
described the efforts put in place by the police which led to the
recovery of the stolen mace.

“The Police teams engaged in massive raids of identified
criminal spots/flashpoints, stop and search operations, visibility
and confidence building patrols, intelligence gathering which
forced the suspected miscreants to abandon the mace at a point
under the flyover before the City Gate, where a patriotic passer-by
saw it and alerted the police,” the statement read.

The police further disclosed that a ‘discreet investigation into
the incident’ is still ongoing to arrest and bring the perpetrators
of the act to justice and thanked members of the public ‘especially
motorists for their support, cooperation and timely
information’.

“The renewed commitment of the the Nigeria Police Force to
guarantee protection of lives and property, peace and stability and
sustain democracy in the country remains unequivocal and
unwavering,” the Police statement promised.

Meanwhile, the recovered mace has been to the Red Chamber. The
return was facilitated by the Police DIG Operations. The mace was
received by the CNA, and together with the Sergeant at arms, they
took it into the Senate Chambers.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has ordered
the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sadiq Bello, to beef up
security within and around the National Assembly complex following
the invasion, on Wednesday of unidentified persons, purportedly
brought by the suspended senator representing Delta Central
District, Mr. Ovie Omo-Agege, who made away with the legislative
symbol of authority, the mace.

In a press release signed by the Deputy Force Public Relations
Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, SP Aremu Adeniran, the IG
described the efforts put in place by the police which led to the
recovery of the stolen mace.

“The Police teams engaged in massive raids of identified
criminal spots/flashpoints, stop and search operations, visibility
and confidence building patrols, intelligence gathering which
forced the suspected miscreants to abandon the mace at a point
under the flyover before the City Gate, where a patriotic passer-by
saw it and alerted the police,” the statement read.

The police further disclosed that a ‘discreet investigation into
the incident’ is still ongoing to arrest and bring the perpetrators
of the act to justice and thanked members of the public ‘especially
motorists for their support, cooperation and timely
information’.

“The renewed commitment of the the Nigeria Police Force to
guarantee protection of lives and property, peace and stability and
sustain democracy in the country remains unequivocal and
unwavering,” the Police statement promised.

Meanwhile, the recovered mace has been to the Red Chamber. The
return was facilitated by the Police DIG Operations. The mace was
received by the CNA, and together with the Sergeant at arms, they
took it into the Senate Chambers.