Thursday, November 20, 2014

Nigerian Police Invasion: Mark Orders National Assembly Shutdown, Summons IGP
Nigerian Speaker of the Assembly teargassed on Nov. 20, 2014.
Published on Thursday, 20 November 2014 12:26
Written by Turaki A. Hassan
Nigerian Daily Trust

Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator David Mark has condemned the use of teargas on Senators and members of the House of Representatives by the Police describing the action as "barbaric."

Senator Mark has also ordered the immediate suspension of plenary sessions in both chambers of the National Assembly.

This followed the invasion of the National Assembly by security operatives who tear gassed Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, staff and journalists on Thursday morning. Mark, who had rushed out to the House of Representatives' Chamber to address the situation on hearing the development, said he was tear gassed along with his colleagues while returning to his office after conferring with the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and his deputy Emeka Ihedioha.

After a brief meeting with principal officers of the National Assembly, Senator Mark said: “After due consultation with my colleagues in both chambers of National Assembly on this ugly development, we have therefore agreed that today's session be suspended forthwith."

He condemned the application of maximum force on parliamentarians and civil servants who were in their respective offices to do their duties.

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