House of Representatives hurriedly adjourned proceedings yesterday after members of slamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, broke through the first gate leading into National Assembly.

IMN members, protesting continued detention of their leader, Mr Ibrahim El-zakzaky, were said to be advancing towards the second gate of National Assembly when the lawmakers got wind of the development.

Deputy Speaker, Mr Yusuf Lasun, presiding over a Committee of the Whole House before the adjournment, said reports had reached him that the protesters had crashed the first gate and wondered if there were enough security personnel on ground to contain them.

He stated that it was imperative for the House to take precautionary measures, expressing concern if they could still continue with the day’s proceeding.

It was gathered that as the protesters advanced towards the gate, security operatives quickly shut it, while security was also beefed up at the first and second gates.

Protests by members of IMN agitating for the release of their leader has been recurring around National Assembly.

However, this is the first time the House would be expressing concern over moves by the group to gain entrance into the premises.

According to a witness, members of the group had threatened to force the gate open if National Assembly leadership failed to attend to them.

The protesters later descended on the gate, shaking it violently in a bid to force it open.

IMN members had embarked on a mass protest on Tuesday to commemorate their leader’s 68th birthday anniversary and intensify demands for his release.

As at time of filing this report, normalcy had returned and the protesters moved out and continued with their protest outside the gate.

Meanwhile, the House yesterday resolved to probe alleged $27 billion oil revenue lost by Federal Government since 1999 to date, due to delay in the review of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act.

The green chamber took the resolution after it passed the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act Amendment Bill for second reading. The bill seeks to increase Federal Government’s share of the revenue accruing from oil exploration by 50%.

Deputy House Leader, Mr Idris Wase, who moved the motion, said the investigation became necessary in order to ascertain the position of Federal Government as stipulated in the information provided by the Executive.

Sun