The Lagos State Police Command has clarified that access to the Lagos State House of Assembly remains open, contrary to earlier reports suggesting restrictions of journalists into the complex.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement he issued on Monday via X, clarified that while security measures have been strengthened around the assembly complex, journalists and individuals with legitimate business are allowed entry.
The statement reads: “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to debunk news making the rounds that the police has restricted entry into the Lagos State House of Assembly.”
Hundeyin said Police Commissioner Olohundare Jimoh, ordered the deployment of security personnel and operational resources to the assembly complex to maintain order and prevent potential disturbances.
He said: “To forestall breakdown of law and order, CP Olohundare Jimoh ordered the proactive deployment of human and operational resources to the House of Assembly.
“This is also to ensure water-tight security and prevent miscreants and thugs from causing mayhem.”
He said while security has been tightened, there is no outright restriction of movement into the complex.
“For clarification, entry is allowed into the Assembly complex for journalists and every other person with genuine business to carry out there.
“Furthermore, part of the measures employed is diversion of vehicular traffic around the assembly complex. This is necessary to ensure firm grip and control over the security architecture.
“For emphasis, there is no restriction of movement into the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the diversion of traffic was proactively emplaced to forestall breakdown of law and order in the Assembly and its environs,” he said.
Persecondnews had reported that journalists were earlier barred from entering the complex on Monday morning, ahead of a scheduled plenary session.
Reporters, who attempted to enter the complex around 11am, were turned back by security operatives.
A policeman at the entrance gate told the reporters: “You are not allowed to enter.”
When informed that journalists had been invited to cover the plenary, he responded, “That is the instruction. You cannot enter.”
The Lagos Assembly has been embroiled in turmoil since Obasa’s removal as Speaker on January 13, and things took a dramatic turn when he staged a forced comeback on February 27, presiding over a brief plenary session with only four lawmakers present.
Details later…
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