The Senate on Thursday expressed concern over frequent cases of burglary in the National Assembly complex.
The upper chamber said that reports of upsurge in theft cases have not only become embarrassing but completely unacceptable.
This followed Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s report of the invasion of her office by burglars.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided, condemned the invasion of Senator Tinubu’s office and described it as shameful.
Ekweremadu who added that the occurrence was worrisome especially in the build-up to the February elections, told his colleagues about a former senator who parked his car close to the assembly complex for some banking transaction only to come back to find his car burgled.
The Deputy Senate President said that he learnt that the office of a member of the House of Representatives was also burgled while the National Assembly was on break.
He mandated the Senate committee on Services to team up with National Assembly management to investigate the development and report back within two weeks.
Senator Tinubu in her Point of Order drew the attention of her colleagues to the invasion of her office by unknown persons.
The Lagos central senator said that she no longer feels safe in her office since the incidence took place.
She requested a comprehensive investigation into the case as well as the replacement of items stolen by the hoodlums as soon as possible.
She said: “I want to report an incident that happened in my office while we were on holiday during the Christmas break.
“The Senate is aware that we closed for the break on Thursday the 21st day of December 2018. However, my office had been closed from 7th December as I had constituency engagements and town hall meetings scheduled for the period.
“On Wednesday, 9th January 2019, my staff upon resumption noticed some anomalies in the organisation and setup of the office prompting an inspection.
“It was discovered that one HP laptop computer, CCTV camera box, one Smile internet device and copies of the laws of the federation had been carted away.
“Subsequently, a report was lodged at the police post of the National Assembly.
“ I’m requesting two things from the Senate, the leadership of the Senate to direct that volumes one to 14 of the laws of the federation and CCT box carted away be replaced.
“Also the Senate should thoroughly investigate the matter and security arrangement of the National Assembly to ensure safety and property.
“This time, the occurrence is something that is worrisome. One, this is the time we are all going for election, right now I don’t feel safe in my office because when things happen and no tangible action is being taken, you begin they wonder.”
Ekweremadu further blamed the development on the management of the National Assembly.
He noted that despite millions spent on security in the National Assembly, cases of theft were still being reported day by day.
“I don’t think it is an isolated case. A former colleague came to do a transaction in the National Assembly, he left car and when he came back the car was broken into and money removed.
“He parked the car close to one of the buildings and he thought it was easy to detect.
“He reported to the management and they tried to look at the CCTV but it was not working. It is an embarrassment for all of us.
“I want to appeal to the management to live up to their expectations. We can’t be talking about replacing the books until they have concluded investigation,” he said.
Last year, cars belonging to some workers and journalists were burgled by hoodlums.
Batteries and other valuable items were stolen. The cars were parked inside the National Assembly complex.
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