Gunshots Rock Plateau Assembly Amid Protest By Rival Groups

The police and a detachment of soldiers are currently shooting to disperse rival groups protesting the crisis rocking the Plateau State House of Assembly.

The crisis started last week when the Speaker, Abok Ayuba, was impeached by six members out of the 24 in a hurried session with full police protection.

Hon Ayuba few hours later called for a sitting outside the Assembly Complex where the arrowheads were suspended.

Hon Yakubu Sanda, who was elected by the six members to replace Hon Ayuba, was suspended alongside five others.

However, both are laying claims to the speakership prompting protests by the supporters of the two politicians on Monday morning.

Agency reports say the youths loyal to the embattled Speaker, Abok Ayuba, were carrying placards dancing to music opposite the main entrance of the House but at about 8.30 am, a rival group supporting Hon Sanda gained entry into the Assembly premises through the back gate.

Some of the protesting youths shattered the glass door which leads to the Chambers of the House as the embattled Speaker and some members loyal to him were having a meeting.

Reports say supporters of the Speaker who were protesting peacefully outside recognized some of the youths within the assembly premises as those of Yakubu Sanda’s and immediately began scaling the gate manned by security forces to also gain entry.

This prompted action by security agents who began firing shots into the air to disperse the protesting youths but the youths stood their ground.

According to report, the protesters scampered for safety but soon regrouped singing and displaying their placards in support of the Speaker saying six people are not more than 24.

There appears to be calm outside the premises while the youths who gained entry into the assembly complex have also being removed but the meeting by the speaker and his loyal assembly members continues as at the time of filing this report.