After initial interruption, whereby some hoodlums made away with the mace, the Senate has resumed session with determination tackle all issues of the day no matter how long they may take

The Nigerian Senate has resumed plenary after the mace, the official symbol of authority, was forcefully taken away by suspected thugs earlier on Wednesday, April 18 morning.

The commencement of the plenary was preceded by an executive session where the forceful removal of the mace was discussed.

“The session is holding with the mace, the official symbol of authority firmly in place, and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, presiding,” Sabi Abdullahi, Senate spokesman, said in a statement.

Reports said that plenary was in process with Ike Ekweremadu presiding at about 11.00 a.m. when some persons stormed the assembly and took the mace away.

The invaders were said to have overpowered the Sergeants-at-Arm before snatching the mace and made away with it.

Abdullahi said: “The Senate also decided that it will get to the roots of this sad assault on democracy and an obvious act of treason which the seizure of the mace by some armed hoodlums represents. The hoodlums severely attacked some members of staff of the National Assembly, particularly the Sergeant-at-Arms on Chamber duties.”

He disclosed that the Senate had mandated Ibrahim Idris, the inspector general of Police, and Lawan Daura, director-general of the State Security Services, SSS, to retrieve the mace stolen by the hoodlums within 24 hours.

Ekweremadu, however, insisted that all legislative matters scheduled for Wednesday would be concluded before plenary would be adjourned.