The embattled Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Abok Ayuba, and 11 of his loyalists in the house were yesterday whisked away to unknown destination by security operatives supervised by the Commissioner of Police, Edward Egbuka.
The CP, who refused to reveal their destination, did not allow the legislators to speak to journalists. The two sides of the road leading to the Assembly complex were barricaded by armed policemen, making it impassable for motorists
A peaceful protest was staged by the youth in front of the complex. Early in the morning, 12 legislators, including Ayuba, stormed the complex and entered the chambers.
But when the other group, led by Yakubu Sanda, the new Speaker, got wind of the development, they quickly mobilised and moved to the house where they joined the other group loyal to Ayuba.
No sooner had they arrived the complex than they left again for Government House at Rayfield, Jos. When they left, security personnel led by CP Egbuka arrived at the complex and stayed there until evening when they took Ayuba and other 11 loyal to him away.
The Guardian gathered that an arrangement was being made to return to status quo and then Ayuba would be coerced to voluntarily throw in the towel.
But another source said both Ayuba and Sanda may be pushed out and a new speaker installed. As the youths were peacefully singing solidarity song to hail Ayuba, a group of thugs entered the complex and smashed the doors and windows.
This reportedly led to a free for all, and the youths overpowered the thugs and chased them away. However, Ayuba was said to have peeped from the window and gestured the youth to calm down and go back outside the complex where they had been standing, which they quickly heeded. The commotion attracted troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), who started shooting in the air to calm the situation
