Police Recover Senate Mace Under Abuja Bridge

Police Thursday said they have recovered the mace stolen by thugs who invaded the Senate Chambers on Wednesday.

Thugs believed to have been sponsored by Sen. Ovia Omo-Agege stormed the National Assembly Wednesday and stole the mace while the upper chamber was holding its plenary session.

A statement issued by Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, SP Aremu Adeniran, said following massive raids, the thugs abandoned the mace under the flyover before Abuja city gate.

The statement reads: “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 and 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.”

It said a discreet investigation into the incident “is still ongoing to arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The statement commended 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,” the statement added.