High Drama at Anambra Assembly as DSS Attempt to Abduct Lawmaker-Elect Foiled by Intervention

 

A tense and dramatic scene unfolded at the Anambra State House of Assembly complex on Thursday as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the premises in a botched attempt to whisk away a lawmaker-elect. The incident, which nearly spiraled into a security crisis, involved Mr. Onyekachukwu Ike, the lawmaker-elect representing Nnewi North constituency, who was reportedly apprehended and forced into the trunk of a vehicle by the security agents.

Eyewitness accounts from within the Assembly complex suggest that the DSS operatives arrived without prior notification to any of the Assembly’s internal security structures. The timing of the attempted arrest was equally baffling, coming shortly after a valedictory thanksgiving service held to mark the end of the seventh legislative session.

Assembly sources revealed that the DSS officers had managed to seize Ike and conceal him inside the boot of their vehicle, poised to make a swift exit from the complex. However, their plan was thwarted when vigilant security personnel stationed at the gate raised an alarm and promptly locked down the exit points, effectively preventing the operatives from leaving with the lawmaker-elect.

A source who witnessed the incident firsthand described the atmosphere as "chaotic and disturbing," noting that many Assembly staff and visitors were thrown into confusion as the standoff unfolded. “It was like a movie scene,” the witness recounted. “They thought they could sneak him out, but the security at the gate acted fast and blocked the path.”

Top-ranking officials, including the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, who was at the complex representing Governor Charles Soludo during the ceremony, intervened swiftly. Working in concert with the outgoing Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, they confronted the DSS operatives, leading to the release of Mr. Ike.

No formal warrant or notice of arrest was presented to the Assembly management or its security unit, according to reports. The Acting Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs. Esther Aneto, expressed shock over the conduct of the operatives, noting that neither her office nor the police officers attached to the Assembly were informed of any security operation involving a sitting or incoming lawmaker.

“This was a complete breach of protocol and respect for legislative autonomy,” said a senior legislative aide, who preferred anonymity. “Such an action could have caused a serious breakdown of order within the Assembly.”

Police authorities have confirmed the incident, acknowledging that the operatives involved were indeed from the DSS. The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, provided a brief statement to the press, describing the matter as resolved. “There is no cause for alarm,” he stated. “I was told the Deputy Governor and Speaker intervened and everything has been settled.”

Despite the assurance of resolution, questions continue to swirl around the motive for the attempted arrest and the legality of the methods employed. The DSS has yet to issue any official statement clarifying the nature of the operation or the reasons behind the move to apprehend the lawmaker-elect in such an aggressive and unconventional manner.

Public reactions have ranged from shock to outrage, with civil society observers raising concerns about what they describe as a worrying pattern of state actors circumventing legal processes in the name of security enforcement. The unfolding situation has cast a shadow over the transition of power within the state legislature and left many wondering what lies ahead for the newly elected Assembly members.

For now, Mr. Onyekachukwu Ike remains a free man, thanks to the timely intervention of top government officials. However, the episode has left a lasting impression on the state’s political landscape, with many calling for a thorough investigation and clear communication from the DSS regarding their intentions.