There was tension at the Edo State House of Assembly yesterday after the leadership suspended its first plenary session of the year following the discovery of objects suspected to be gunshot pellets inside the chamber.
Reports indicate that a hole was noticed in the roof of the chamber, while the suspected pellets were found on the seat assigned to the Majority Leader, Jonathan Ibhamawu.
Some lawmakers had already arrived at the Assembly complex in preparation for the day’s sitting when the discovery was made. The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, was immediately contacted to assess the situation. He assured the Assembly that security operatives would investigate the incident and determine its cause.
Addressing journalists, Ibhamawu confirmed that security agencies had commenced investigations and that plenary had been postponed indefinitely.
According to him, the House was set to begin proceedings when attention was drawn to the incident. He stated that both the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) had been invited to thoroughly examine the chamber and submit a detailed report on what transpired.
He emphasized that although members were ready to proceed with the sitting, it was necessary to allow security agencies to properly sweep the chamber to ensure safety. He added that the Assembly remains calm and undeterred, assuring the public that lawmakers would resume their normal legislative activities once the investigation is concluded.