By Umar Muhammad Puma
Concerned by the use of masks and hoods openly by the security agencies, particularly while monitoring elections and carrying out other duties, the House of Representatives has summoned Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police to appear before its security related committees and explain the rationale behind their action.
Those expected to appear before the committee includes, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba and Director-General of the Department of State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpeyong.
The resolution of the House was reached sequel to a motion moved by Rep. Nathaniel Agunbiade (APC Osun), who noted that some military and department of state security service personnel, now routinely use marks and hoods openly, which none of the of the security agencies has marks or hoods as part of their uniform.
He expresses concerned that the use of masks and hoods has negated the primary purpose of using uniform that was assigned for easy identification, and it often terrify the citizenry as they conceal the identity of those wearing them.
Adding that in recent time, masks and hoods were used by security operatives to perpetrate illegal arrest, harassment and detention of innocent citizens and
hoodlums can also use masks and hoods while carrying out their criminal activities.
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