Senate President David Mark has ordered an immediate closure of the National Assembly. This came on the heels of the breakdown of law and order on the premises of the National Assembly following the blocking of embattled Speaker Aminu Tambuwal from entering the chamber to preside over the day’s sitting by armed security men.

The incident resulted in pandemonium as the security men also blocked most of Tambuwal’s loyalists from entering the chamber while allowing the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the same chamber.

Heavily armed security agents made up of the police and officers of the Directorate of State Service (DSS) , had early Thursday , taken over the premises of the NASS. It was obvious that their mission was to prevent the Speaker from entering the chamber. Tambuwal, two days ago announced that the House would be meeting on Thursday after he received a letter conveying the request from President Jonathan.

But the speaker who dumped the PDP recently to join the opposition party, APC, was stopped by the security men, the action resulted in a pandemonium.

The gates to the complex were locked by the security men who allowed people access only through one entrance. Many of the lawmakers were also barred from entry, but most of them scaled the fence into the complex.

National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed, said he spoke with Tambuwal “five minutes ago and he confirmed to me that he has been locked out of the National Assembly complex at the second gate.”

While Tambuwal was prevented, Emeka Ihedioha, the Deputy Speaker was allowed into the complex and was already in the chamber when Tambuwal arrived.

Lai Mohammed said the Speaker reconvened the House at the instance of the President who had written a letter to the Speaker asking for an extension of the state of emergency in the three states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno.

Mohammed said: “There must be limit to impunity and we are being ridiculed in the eyes of the world.”

The action of the security men prompted over 20 members of the APC, loyal to the Speaker to scale the fence in order to get into the chamber.

As the drama unfolded, members loyal to Tambuwal, overpowered the armed security men, forced Tambuwal into the chamber for the sitting, thus, prevented Emeka Ihedioha from presiding over the sitting. The security men shot tear gas to scare the people.

Immediately the Speaker gained access into the chambers, he held a short meeting with Senate President, David Mark, who paid him a solidarity visit.

Consequently, the Senate President, who is also the Chairman of the National Assembly, announced the closure of the legislative arm of government, till Tuesday. His action preventeda further escalation of the crisis.

Meantime, the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has explained why it was the National Assembly complex on Thursday, where Policemen allegedly prevented house members, including the speaker, Aminu Tambuwal entry.

Police source said members of the Force, were at the NASS complex, as early 5.30am, following report that, some hoodlums have concluded arrangement to attack the place using high caliber explosive.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba, told our Correspondent in a telephone chat, that Policemen were at the complex to maintain law and order.

“Following an intelligence report of a likely invasion of the House of Representatives by hoodlums and thugs, the Nigeria Police Force promptly deployed its personnel to the premises to prevent a breakdown of law and order.”

But another intelligence source stated that, security operatives have earlier had information that hoodlums have concluded arrangement to bomb the Assembly complex.

“The report said the criminals were going to take advantage of the crowd that was to follow the arrival of the speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, to strike. Security agents had earlier communicated this to the principal officers of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, IGP Abba, stressed that consequent upon the intelligence report, “the Police condoned the area and began screening of all members and visitors alike.”

He added that in the course of this lawful exercise, “Aminu Tambuwal, arrived the venue with a motley crowd, who broke the cordon, assaulted the Police and evaded due process and the Police had the duty to restore order and normalcy, using lawful means. The IGP seizes this medium to warn all political actors and their followers to respect constituted authority and due process and to desist from the use of thugs to pursue their agenda.”

The Nigeria Police boss said, the Force shall continually apply all lawful means to prevent a breakdown of law and order in all segments of the society and shall apply the full weight of the law on any political actor who violates the peace and security of the nation.