The House of Representatives has urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to provide adequate security for government officials and infrastructure in flashpoints in the South-East and Nigeria.

The resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Emeka Nnamani (LP-Abia) at the plenary in Abuja on Thursday.

In his motion, the lawmaker noted that the violent attack by hoodlums in South Eastern Nigeria had assumed a very dangerous trend.

He said attacks on highly placed Nigerians were escalating at an increased proportion, adding that if such trend was not quickly nipped in the bud, it could result in threats to governments, personnel and others at all levels.

He said government provided police protection around government officials, adding that security was usually inadequate, especially at flashpoints of insecurity in Nigeria.

He added that there had been attacks on prominent Nigerians by unknown gunmen in South East Nigeria, like the attack on Sen. Ifeanyi Uba, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, and former Gov. Ikedi Ohakim.

He noted that on July 25, the Abia State command of the Nigerian police confirmed that two of its personnel were attacked and killed while on the convoy of the state commissioner for trade commerce and industry, Chimezie Ukaegbu.

He said in addition to the loss of lives of the two policemen involved, the assailants also set ablaze a vehicle belonging to Abia State Ministry of Trade, commerce, and Industry.

He said as the aftermath of the cowardly killing of the two policemen, terror was unleashed on the innocent people of Aba by security operatives such as the police and army in the Aba metropolis resulting in the total shutdown of the market.

He also called on the IGP and Chief of Army staff to urgently call their men to order, as the continued attack by their men on innocent residents and passers-by of Aba could degenerate into full-blown riot and unnecessary breakdown of law and order.

Adopting the motion, the House urged the IGP and CoAS to call their men to order and adopt better Police, Army civil relationships with their host communities.

The House also urged the police to set up a high-powered investigative team to bring those hoodlums to book.

The House said that the security apparatus of government must be deployed to return peace and security to the lives and property of the residents of Aba.

(NAN)