Nigeria Police Say It Recovered Snatched Senate Mace Under Bridge In Abuja

Nigeria’s Police on Thursday announced the recovery of the snatched mace, the symbol of authority of the Senate.

BigPen Online recall that the mace was on Wednesday snatched from the senate chambers by hoodlums who invaded the plenary of the lawmakers and made away with the mace with many of the senators and security personnel watching helplessly.

The embattled Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ovie Omo-Agege was blamed for the incident and arrested by the police for questioning. He was later released and he denied claims that he led thugs to the chamber to seize the Senate symbol of authority.

But Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, who said that the police, acting on directives to find the mace within 24hours, announced Thursday morning that it has been found under a flyover.

Moshood said in the statement: “Sequel to the invasion of the Senate Chambers of the National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 18th April, 2018 by some suspected thugs who disrupted the Senate Plenary Session and carted away the Mace of the Red Chambers, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K.

Idris NPM, mni, immediately instituted a high-powered Police Investigation and Intelligence Team coordinated by the IGP Monitoring Unit of the Force and further directed a total lock-down of the Federal Capital Territory with intense surveillance patrol and thorough Stop and Search Operations at various Police check-points with a view to arresting perpetrators and possible 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.

“While a discreet investigation into the incident is still ongoing to arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice, the Nigeria Police Force appreciates the spirited members of the public, most especially motorists within Abuja Metropolis for their support, cooperation and timely information during the rigorous stop and search operations for the recovery of the Mace.

“The renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee protection of Lives and Property, Peace and Stability and sustain democracy in the country remains unequivocal and unwavering.”

Julius Eras-Olabowu