Senate probes attempted arrest of ex-DSS DG, Ita Ekpenyong

The Senate has mandated the Committee on National Security and Intelligence to investigate the attempted arrest of the former DSS boss, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong and that of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr Ayo Oke by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Speaking through order 42 of the Senate rules, Dino Melaye representing Kogi West Senatorial district described as national embarrassment, the fisticuffs involving three sister security agencies.

Dino wondered on the fate of common citizens if highly placed security agents could fight dirty, thereby threatening the nation’s national security.
“Mr. President, one calamitous situation that happened yesterday in the Federal republic of Nigeria which was awashed on social and print media was between DSS and EFCC”
“That the print and social media were awashed that DSS prevented the former DSS and also that of National Intelligent Agency, Mr. Ayo Oke from arrest by EFCC operatives”, he said.
“This is an embarrassment for three sister security agency to fight before the world.”

“If two sister security agencies were involved in fisticuffs, what happened to the ordinary man on the street. This is not a banana republic and we must compel the President and Commander in Chief to intervene in this matter.”
Contributing, Senator Biodun Olujimi faulted EFCC’s operations, saying that those in custody of the nation’s secret security should not be arrested in that manner.
She described as the height of irresponsibility on part of President Buhari’s government, noting that Mr. President should wake up to his responsibility.
‘This is the first time we have crossed the line of irresponsibility and Mr President should sit up.”

“You recall that we rejected Mr. Ibrahim Magu and nobody is in charge of this government. Somebody must be in charge,” she insisted.
Meanwhile, Senate leader in his defense of Buhari’s action and that of EFCC stressed that the anti–corruption agency might be acting on priviledged information which may not be available to the Senate.
He insisted that the President was in charge, adding that Olujimi’s position was unacceptable.
“What our colleague, Dino Melaye presented was to seek investigations and I fully support that.
“Let me reiterate that President Muhammadu Buhari is in full control of the nation and what Senator Biodun Olujimi said was wrong and unacceptable”, he added.
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki ruled that the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence should investigate and report back in two weeks.