Nigeria's secret police chief dismissed

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria

Nigeria’s secret police chief Lawal Daura has been dismissed, hours after his men mounted a surprise blockade at the parliament building ahead of a crucial meeting of top lawmakers in the capital city Abuja.

“Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer of the State Security Service until further notice,” Laolu Akande, spokesman for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, said in a statement on Tuesday.

Akin to a recent blockade of the convoy of Senate President Bukola Saraki on a day he was meant to a honor police summons, masked secret police operatives blocked access to the parliament building until later Tuesday morning.

The blockade sparked outrage in the country.

“Acting President Osinbajo has described the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex earlier today as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all accepted notions of law and order,” Akande said.

“The unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency is condemnable and completely unacceptable. By this statement, Professor Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.”

The dismissed secret police chief had long been accused of being behind the interagency rivalry that has rocked the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Local news medium Sahara Reporters said Daura has been arrested and detained by a team of anti-crime police squad. There is no official confirmation of the report.