Train Bomb Attack: Lawmakers fume as Service Chiefs, IGP, others shun House of Reps
Train Bomb Attack: Lawmakers fume as Service Chiefs, IGP, others shun House of Reps
The Federal House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed displeasure at the way the Service Chiefs and several others shunned its invitation over the Monday night train attack that has claimed the lives of many Nigerians.
Following the nationwide outrage that greeted the Abuja train attack in which nine Nigerians were killed and many others kidnapped, the HoR had summoned the service chiefs and several persons including the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi for questioning, but none of the men appeared in person.
The development angered the Deputy Speaker of the House, Idris Wase, who presided over the panel.
He expressed disappointment that none of the heads of the agencies invited deemed it fit to appear before the House.
The Deputy speaker refused to preside over the hearing saying the heads of the agencies ought to have appeared.
“I am constrained as the Deputy speaker to continue the meeting because the accounting officers are the ones that are supposed to be here while we give them necessary support. So, we cannot proceed. I am saying with a heavy heart, no matter the assignment our Generals are handling, I believe the parliament requires a listening ear. This is the House of the people. I am saddened. I am not happy. I am expressing my disappointment. I do not know if you have a tangible excuse because all the agencies that we invited, none has the respect to have one chief executive. None. Maybe, we are considered to be jokers but we are jokers.
A representative of the Military said the army chiefs are in a meeting with the president, Mr Wase said that does not justify shunning the Parliament.
He ruled that the House will reconvene on Thursday, by 3 pm, and all agency heads must appear before the committee.
