Panic Grips NASS Over Bomb Scare

There was pandemonium yesterday at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, as a  bomb scare, sent staff and visitors running helter-skelter .

The Tide Abuja correspondent reports that at about 3.40pm, news filtered into the Complex that agents of Boko Haram –the fundamentalist Islamic group that had wreaked havoc through series of bomb blasts in  parts of the country including Abuja, were about to strike at the National Assembly.

The news which spread like wild fire made staff and visitors to rush through the many exit points.

Most affected were White House which houses the two legislative chambers of the Assembly Complex, as well as offices of  the Senate President, David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, including the new buildings of the two chambers, their extensions and annexes .

A Coaster bus with registration number NASS FL 431 SEN, stationed at the White House entrance evacuated people from when the bomb scare started  to about 4.30 pm.

At the main entrance gate, stern looking security men turned back curious visitors who were hysterical about the development.

The bomb scare occurred at a time officials of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, led by the Minister, Olusegun Aganga, were holding a meeting with the House Leadership on the 4th floor of the House of Representatives New Building.

Consequently, the meeting was abruptly brought to an end , making the Minister and his team to scamper out of the premises.

A principal officer of the House of Repsentatives who spoke to The Tide on condition of anonymity said “We had to flee because you can’t under rate them (Boko Haram). They can strike at any time”

However, when contacted, the House of Representatives spokesman, Hon Zakari Mohammed said, “It’s mischief, there is nothing like that (bomb) at the National Assembly complex. It is the usual attitude of Nigerians to cause panic,  because as I’m talking to you now, I’m in my office just as the deputy Speaker”, Hon Emeka Ihedioha .

The sergeant-at-arms briefed us about the bomb scare and the attendant pandemonium. We ‘ve addressed the press , there is no iota of truth in it. Staff, visitors and general public should please disregard it”, he added.

Justus Awaji, Abujaa