The Department of State Services (DSS) has said that it did not invade the Lagos House of Assembly on Monday.
Earlier on Monday, there were reports of heavy security presence in and around the roads leading to the complex. But the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda later gained access to the chambers. The incident comes amid the leadership tussle rocking the House of Assembly following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as the Speaker last month.
But the DSS later said that its operatives were deployed following a request by the Assembly itself.
In a statement, the DSS disclosed that the request by the House was made in a letter dated 14 February 2025, and that it sought additional security due to potential threats.
The letter stated that credible information revealed that plans to forcefully reinstate impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa were underway and that it could pose a security risk.
An excerpt of the letter from the Lagos Assembly was included in the DSS statement and it reads partly: ‘The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly plans to resume office on the 18th of February, 2025, posing a potential security threat to the Assembly and its members.
‘In light of this situation, we kindly request that you take necessary measures to fortify the security of the Assembly premises with effect from Sunday, 16th February 2025, by increasing the presence of your men and observing strict access control within and outside the Assembly premises till further notice’.
